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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

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

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.