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Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.