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The former US president’s most recent threat to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

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

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “a long time”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” the official stated.

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

Last week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.