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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.