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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

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

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.