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The former US president’s latest ultimatum to enforce an additional 100% tariff on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could enact its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at Beijing’s move to reinforce its regulations for exports of rare earth minerals, charging the Chinese leadership of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was arranged for a conference in Seoul later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since earlier this year.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a trade war between the US and China.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two countries.

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports incurring an extra import tax compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – reflected language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earth minerals as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson remarked that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of state security, abused export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, China revealed it was reinforcing overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a important measure, as the state refines about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are used in products such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by observers as a method of strengthening positions ahead of future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and China’s leader, planned at a summit in Seoul later this month, will take place as planned.