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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

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

These statements reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” their representative said.

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

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen 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 renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.