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The former US president’s most recent warning to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.