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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.