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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.