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The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also warned to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.