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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.