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Trump’s most recent warning to impose an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.