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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

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

Last week, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.