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Trump’s newest threat to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

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

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.