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Trump’s latest threat to enforce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.