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The former US president’s newest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.