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Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

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

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, planned at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.