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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President executes his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged meeting with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to press queries – reflected language from the height of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the state refines about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are used in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and China’s leader, expected at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.