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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the official stated.

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

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.