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Trump’s newest threat to impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for exports of rare earths, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a meeting in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited concerns of a commercial dispute between the US and China.

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

As a result, US tariffs on products from China facing an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country face a import levy.

China’s latest remarks – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to media inquiries – echoed language from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “routine measures” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with China,” the official commented.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on key elements and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as solar panels and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a summit in South Korea later this month, will go ahead.