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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

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

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.