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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to journalist’s questions – mirrored language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.