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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

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

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.