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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

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

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.