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Trump’s newest warning to enforce an extra full import duty on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in South Korea later this month.

His statements on Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed fears of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods subject to an additional import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.