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Donald Trump’s newest threat to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.