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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.