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Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the US President follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its rules for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to cancel a planned summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

This past spring, the both nations had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on semiconductors and chips while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “many years”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

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

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea later this month, will still proceed.