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

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments revived fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

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

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on rare earths and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.