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Trump’s newest warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

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