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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.