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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to introduce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a arranged talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese goods subject to an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – reflected language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, China revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.