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Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an extra full import duty on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has always been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.