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The former US president’s most recent warning to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on key elements and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by observers as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.