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Donald Trump’s newest threat to introduce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could enact its own unrevealed “responsive actions” if the White House occupant follows through on his warning, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

On Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to strengthen its policies for foreign shipments of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to pull out of a planned summit with China’s President President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in Seoul later this month.

His statements on Friday unsettled stock exchanges, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

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

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to drop high import duties on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports facing an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the country incur a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned United States controls on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the right way to interact with China,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing revealed it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and further resources essential to cutting-edge industry.

This was seen as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

Latest statements from both governments are being seen by analysts as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.