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The former US president’s newest threat to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Additionally, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an extra 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 – issued by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.