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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

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

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

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

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.