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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 labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

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

Last Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while supporting Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.