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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.