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Trump’s latest threat to introduce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also warned to withdraw from a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the state handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.