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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.