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

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could implement its own unrevealed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of critical elements, alleging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled talks with Beijing’s head of state Xi, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook global markets, with the S&P 500 share index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a trade conflict between the US and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of bilateral trade stopping between the economic powers.

This left, American import duties on Chinese goods facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the country are subject to a import levy.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the form of formal replies to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised US export restrictions on chips and semi-conductors while supporting China’s own export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of all nations.

Their representative said that for “an extended period”, the US had “broadened the definition” of state security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “adopted biased policies against China.

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

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and other materials critical for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the nation refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by observers as a method of strengthening positions in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between the former president and President Xi, expected at a conference in South Korea in the coming weeks, will go ahead.