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Trump’s most recent threat to enforce an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that the nation could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “unafraid” of a possible trade war.

This past Friday, Trump responded at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

He also threatened to cancel a scheduled talks with Chinese leader President Xi, which was set for a conference in South Korea later this month.

Trump’s comments on Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since April.

The president’s words renewed concerns of a trade conflict between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had consented to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on Chinese goods incurring an additional 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of written responses to press queries – mirrored terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned US export restrictions on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on key elements as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “a long time”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of state security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “enforced” biased policies against Beijing.

“Using” trade levy ultimatums is not the proper method to interact with China,” the spokesperson commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained consistent: we wish to avoid one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government revealed it was strengthening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the nation processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from the US and China are being seen by some as a method of enhancing bargaining power prior to future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in South Korea later this month, will take place as planned.