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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.