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Trump’s latest threat to introduce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.