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Trump’s newest warning to impose an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.