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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.