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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to press queries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

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

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

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.