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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to impose an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.