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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

This past spring, the two sides had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.