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The former US president’s most recent warning to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.