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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for exports of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

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

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.