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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul later this month.

His statements on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.