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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.