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Trump’s newest threat to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words revived fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

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