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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce 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 additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.