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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also warned to withdraw from a planned talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.