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The former US president’s most recent threat to enforce an further complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.