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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.