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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.