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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.