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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.