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The former US president’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra 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 representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

His comments renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will still proceed.