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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.