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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.