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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.