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The former US president’s most recent threat to impose an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of official answers to media inquiries – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on chips and semi-conductors while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the country handles about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and China’s leader, planned at a conference in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.