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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that China could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

He also threatened to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements revived concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the Commerce Ministry in the form of official answers to press queries – echoed terminology from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending China’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

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

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in products such as solar panels and mobile phones.

The recent comments from the US and China are being viewed by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.