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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of US double standards, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate 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 incurring an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

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

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.