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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

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

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.