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Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.