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The former US president’s latest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to ensure national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the official said.

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

Last week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.