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Donald Trump’s latest warning to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

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

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

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

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

Last week, China revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.