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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.