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Donald Trump’s newest threat to introduce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.