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

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements revived fears of a trade war between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to press queries – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to 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 take place as planned.