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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to tighten its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

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

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.