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Trump’s latest threat to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.