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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a planned meeting with Chinese leader President Xi, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

His comments reignited fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China facing an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to ensure domestic safety and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the proper method to deal with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in items such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea before month’s end, will take place as planned.