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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional complete levy on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to reinforce its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, exploited export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.