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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China incurring an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

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

Recently, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.