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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country face a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with China,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.