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Donald Trump’s newest warning to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could enact its own undisclosed “responsive actions” if the American leader follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its rules for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, alleging the Chinese leadership of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President President Xi, which was set for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

His statements on that day unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

The president’s words revived concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove high import duties on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of trade halting between the two countries.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an extra import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering the country incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to ensure state interests and that of every country.

The official said that for “many years”, the America had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with China,” the official commented.

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

Last week, Beijing declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a significant step, as the state handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by observers as a method of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a conference in the Republic of Korea later this month, will go ahead.