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The former US president’s newest warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

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

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

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.