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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.