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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.