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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to introduce an extra complete levy on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also vowed to pull out of a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was tightening export controls on key elements and additional substances vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being seen by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.