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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.