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Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.