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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.