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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.