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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to pull out of a arranged talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“China’s position on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

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

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.