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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

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

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.