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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” the official stated.

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

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.