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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.