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Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.