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Trump’s newest warning to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.