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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to enforce an further 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that China could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the US President carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

Last Friday, the former president responded at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

The president’s words reignited concerns of a trade war between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s imports, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports facing an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the relevant government department in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to safeguard national security and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, exploited foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” unfair treatments against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to interact with China,” the spokesperson said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earths and further resources critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a significant step, as the nation handles about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in products such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being interpreted by analysts as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.