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The former US president’s latest warning to introduce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also warned to cancel a arranged talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

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

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

Recently, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation handles about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.