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The former US president’s latest threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that the nation could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant executes his threat, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a potential commercial battle.

Last Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “hostage”.

He also vowed to pull out of a planned talks with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

The president’s words revived apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

As a result, United States levies on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – released by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the height of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying Beijing’s export controls on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the America had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the right way to deal with China,” the official said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a talks between the former president and President Xi, planned at a summit in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.