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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

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

Last week, China announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.