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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.