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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.