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The former US president’s latest warning to enforce an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.