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The former US president’s newest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.