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Trump’s latest threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.