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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.