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Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned talks with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.