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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.