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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

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

His comments revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.