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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that Beijing could introduce its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his threat, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, charging China of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed fears of a trade war between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the form of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

Their representative said that for “a long time”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, China declared it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.