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Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.