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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to impose an additional full import duty on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on products from China incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.