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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.