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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.