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Trump’s newest threat to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.