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Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy 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 format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.