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The former US president’s latest threat to impose an additional full import duty on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump retaliated at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – reflected terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

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

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

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.