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Trump’s most recent warning to introduce 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 Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the US President carries out his warning, emphasizing that the country was “not afraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, the former president hit back at the Chinese government’s action to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to pull out of a planned talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul later this month.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its biggest drop since April.

His comments revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the respective governments had agreed to eliminate triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, US tariffs on Chinese imports facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – reflected rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while defending Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to engage with China,” their representative commented.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

The previous week, China revealed it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the state processes about 90% of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

New remarks from the US and China are being interpreted by some as a means of enhancing bargaining power ahead of future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in Seoul before month’s end, will take place as planned.