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The former US president’s latest warning to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for exports of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.