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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an further full import duty on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.