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Trump’s latest ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

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

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.