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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.