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Trump’s most recent warning to impose an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.