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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 “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official said.

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

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.