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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

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

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.