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Trump’s latest threat to impose an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods facing an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.