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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.