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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.