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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 closing down nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

These statements reignited concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on products from China subject to an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has remained steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by analysts as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.