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

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.