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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to impose an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also warned to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments revived concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on products from China incurring an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.