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The former US president’s most recent threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

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

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.