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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.