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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed 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 solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.