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The former US president’s newest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.