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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means 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 the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.