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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul later this month.

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

These statements renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.