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Donald Trump’s most recent threat to impose an further 100% tariff on Chinese goods has been labeled a “prime illustration” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the US President follows through on his threat, noting that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade war.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earth minerals, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to cancel a arranged talks with Chinese leader Xi, which was arranged for a conference in the Republic of Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday rattled stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an additional thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed rhetoric from the zenith of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to protect state interests and that of all nations.

Their representative stated that for “many years”, the America had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited export control measures and “adopted unfair treatments against China.

“Turning to” import duty warnings is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative stated.

“Beijing’s stance” on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and further resources vital for high-technology production.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

New remarks from the US and China are being seen by observers as a means of strengthening positions in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Trump and China’s leader, expected at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.