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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an extra 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could enact its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the American leader carries out his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

On Friday, the former president hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on Friday rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an additional 30% levy compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of every country.

The official stated that for “many years”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted discriminatory practices against the Chinese nation.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has remained unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will still proceed.