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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative said.

“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, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.