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Trump’s newest warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, US tariffs on products from China subject to an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the country handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.