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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

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