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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

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

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to press queries – mirrored language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.