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The former US president’s newest threat to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

He also warned to cancel a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a means of enhancing bargaining power prior to upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.