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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative said.

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

Last week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.