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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

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

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.