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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.