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The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.