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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.