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The former US president’s most recent warning to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader follows through on his warning, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country face a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the spokesperson stated.

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

Recently, Beijing announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.