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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.