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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official said.

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

Recently, China announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.