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Donald Trump’s latest threat to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President executes his warning, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Furthermore, he warned to cancel a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

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

In May, the both nations had consented to eliminate high import duties on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China subject to an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China face a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own restrictions on exports on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “broadened the definition” of state security, misused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to deal with the Chinese government,” the spokesperson stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the nation processes about 90% of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by observers as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a high-level meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.