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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

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

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.