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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

His statements on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

The president’s words renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of written responses to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson stated that for “a long time”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to deal with China,” their representative commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the country handles about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and President Xi, planned at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.