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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its policies for exports of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.