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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earth minerals, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a planned meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was tightening export controls on rare earths and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.