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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.