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Trump’s latest warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that Beijing could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its policies for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a arranged meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – echoed terminology from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

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

The official stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a meeting between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.