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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also warned to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.