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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.