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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.