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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.