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The former US president’s newest threat to introduce an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been called a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry further commented that the nation could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade conflict.

This past Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Furthermore, he vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

His statements on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

These statements reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop high import duties on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the economic powers.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added import tax compared with the year’s onset, while items from the United States entering China face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Commerce Ministry in the format of written responses to journalist’s questions – reflected terminology from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to protect domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the correct approach to deal with Beijing,” the spokesperson commented.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Last week, China declared it was tightening foreign shipment restrictions on rare earths and further resources vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are employed in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for upcoming negotiations.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.