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Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for exports of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.