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Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

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

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

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

The previous week, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.