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Trump’s newest warning to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to reinforce its rules for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had agreed to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.