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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.