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Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

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

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.