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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the state processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.