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Donald Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Chinese government.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his warning, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump responded at the Chinese government’s action to tighten its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Furthermore, he vowed to withdraw from a planned summit with China’s President Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited fears of a trade conflict between the US and China.

This past spring, the both nations had consented to drop significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, United States levies on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – reflected rhetoric from the peak of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while supporting China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard national security and that of every country.

The official said that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, exploited export control measures and “implemented” discriminatory practices against China.

“Using” import duty warnings is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earth minerals and further resources vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are utilized in items such as solar panels and handheld devices.

The recent comments from the US and China are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for future trade talks.

It is unclear whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a conference in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.