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The former US president’s latest threat to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could introduce its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on products from China facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The official remarked that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

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

Last week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a significant step, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a conference in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.