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The former US president’s newest warning to introduce an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” their representative stated.

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

Recently, China declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.