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Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.