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The former US president’s newest warning to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, 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 benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.