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

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for exports of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.