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Donald Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.