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

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative said.

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

Last week, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

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

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.