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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged meeting with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

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

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.