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Trump’s most recent threat to impose an extra complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

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

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.