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Donald Trump’s latest threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade war.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for exports of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

He also vowed to cancel a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate significant levies on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an added 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with Beijing,” their representative said.

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

The previous week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state refines about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.