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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a arranged summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of all nations.

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

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” their representative stated.

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

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will take place as planned.