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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments revived fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

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