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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements revived concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.