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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.