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

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.