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Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

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

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.