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Trump’s newest warning to impose an additional full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, Beijing announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.