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The former US president’s most recent warning to enforce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.