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Donald Trump’s newest warning to introduce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its regulations for exports of rare earths, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words reignited apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

This past spring, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional import tax compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “a long time”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with Beijing,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a talks between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.