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Trump’s latest threat to impose an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that Beijing could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index closing down 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on products from China incurring an extra 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on electronic components while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “routine measures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the state refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by analysts as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

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