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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.