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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with China,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country handles about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by some as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.