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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an extra complete levy on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also warned to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.