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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an additional import tax 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 relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.