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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

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

The previous week, China announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.