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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.