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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.