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Donald Trump’s latest warning to impose an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.