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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

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

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.