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Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.