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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.