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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also threatened to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.