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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.