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The former US president’s most recent threat to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

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

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.