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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.