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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.