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The former US president’s newest ultimatum to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, alleging China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, American import duties on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official commented.

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

Recently, China revealed it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the state processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.