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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an additional complete levy on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.