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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.