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The former US president’s most recent warning to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.