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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening 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 state handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.