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Donald Trump’s newest threat to enforce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

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

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

As a result, United States levies on products from China facing an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

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

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.