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Trump’s latest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a scheduled talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the official said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was tightening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.