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

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.