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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.