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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments revived concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.