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The former US president’s latest warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of US double standards, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.