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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

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

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was strengthening export controls on key elements and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.