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Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with China,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.