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Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.