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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his pledge, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earths, alleging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a arranged talks with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 dropping nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited fears of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.