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The former US president’s latest warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.