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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of American hypocrisy, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.