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The former US president’s latest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.