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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.