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The former US president’s newest warning to impose an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties 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 extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with China,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.