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Trump’s latest threat to introduce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” the spokesperson said.

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

The previous week, Beijing declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by some as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.