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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on products from China incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.