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Trump’s newest threat to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

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

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.