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The former US president’s most recent warning to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

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

Recently, Beijing revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

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

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.