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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

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

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

In May, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.