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Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements revived fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.