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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.