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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements revived fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

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

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.