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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

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

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

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the official commented.

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

Recently, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

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