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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative said.

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

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.