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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.