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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.