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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of US double standards, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.