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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the American leader executes his threat, adding that the country was “fearless” of a possible trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in South Korea before the month ends.

His statements on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

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

This past spring, the both nations had consented to eliminate significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, United States levies on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while American products entering the country incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while justifying Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “a long time”, the America had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, abused export control measures and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to deal with China,” the official stated.

“The nation’s view” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government announced it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and additional substances vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the country refines about ninety percent of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by observers as a strategy of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will go ahead.