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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

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

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.