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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an extra complete levy on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.