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Donald Trump’s latest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments revived fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

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