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Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

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

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.