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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its rules for exports of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul later this month.

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

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods incurring an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering China are subject to a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the state refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.