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Trump’s most recent warning to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements revived fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

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

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

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

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.