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The former US president’s most recent warning to enforce an extra complete levy on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.