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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.