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Donald Trump’s latest ultimatum to impose an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that China could introduce its own unspecified “responsive actions” if the White House occupant carries out his warning, adding that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a planned summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

In May, the both nations had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, US tariffs on Chinese goods incurring an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – released by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to media inquiries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson said that for “many years”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, misused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against the Chinese nation.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This was seen as a key move, as the nation handles about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances prior to upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.