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Trump’s newest ultimatum to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also threatened to cancel a arranged talks with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled financial markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

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

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while defending the country’s own export controls on rare earths as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

The official said that for “many years”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the country processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will still proceed.