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Donald Trump’s newest warning to impose an further complete levy on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to cancel a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

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

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

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

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.