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Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the American leader carries out his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The official remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.