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The former US president’s latest warning to impose an extra complete levy on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

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

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.