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

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the official stated.

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

The previous week, China announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.