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Donald Trump’s newest warning to impose an extra complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

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

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.