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Donald Trump’s latest warning to enforce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson also stated that China could introduce its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President executes his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, the former president retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to cancel a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was arranged for a meeting in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade war between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the economic powers.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised US export restrictions on electronic components while defending the country’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official said that for “a long time”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the proper method to deal with China,” the spokesperson said.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has consistently been unchanging: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government revealed it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines 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 both governments are being viewed by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and China’s leader, scheduled at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.