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Trump’s latest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

In May, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.