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Trump’s most recent warning to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.