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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, according to the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his warning, noting that the country was “not afraid” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Donald Trump retaliated at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “becoming very hostile” and attempting to hold the international market “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a planned meeting with China’s President Xi, which was expected to take place during a summit in South Korea later this month.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index closing down over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements reignited fears of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

In May, the respective governments had reached an agreement to eliminate high import duties on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of trade halting between the economic powers.

Consequently, United States levies on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the country face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the manner of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed language from the peak of the ongoing trade dispute.

They criticised United States controls on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s restrictions on exports on rare earths as “standard procedures” to protect domestic safety and that of every country.

The spokesperson said that for “a long time”, the America had “overstretched the concept of domestic safety, misused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Turning to” trade levy ultimatums is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative said.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and additional substances essential to advanced tech manufacturing.

This was seen as a significant step, as the nation processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in goods such as photovoltaic modules and smartphones.

The recent comments from both governments are being seen by analysts as a strategy of strengthening positions in preparation for future trade talks.

Remains uncertain whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will still proceed.