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Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

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

His statements on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.