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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

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

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.