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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

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

The previous week, China revealed it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.