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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments revived fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the relevant government department in the format of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.