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Trump’s newest warning to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

In May, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.