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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to introduce an further full import duty on items imported from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the US President follows through on his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to strengthen its policies for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Additionally, he warned to pull out of a scheduled meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a conference in South Korea before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on that day rattled global markets, with the S&P 500 falling by nearly three percent, marking its biggest drop since last spring.

These statements renewed concerns of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the respective governments had consented to remove triple-digit tariffs on each other’s imports, which had led to concerns of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

Consequently, US tariffs on products from China incurring an extra thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while US goods entering the Chinese market face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – published by the Commerce Ministry in the form of formal replies to press queries – mirrored rhetoric from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

Officials denounced United States controls on semiconductors and chips while justifying China’s own restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The spokesperson stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “overstretched the concept of national security, exploited overseas sale restrictions and “adopted unfair treatments against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has consistently been steady: we wish to avoid one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing foreign shipment restrictions on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the state handles about the vast majority of the global rare earth supply, which are used in goods such as solar panels and smartphones.

New remarks from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of enhancing bargaining power in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, expected at a high-level meeting in South Korea in the coming weeks, will take place as planned.