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Trump’s newest ultimatum to enforce an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been labeled a “typical example” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the Beijing administration.

A representative of the ministry also stated that the nation could implement its own unrevealed “countermeasures” if the American leader follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “not afraid” of a potential trade conflict.

Last Friday, Donald Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its rules for exports of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

He also vowed to withdraw from a arranged summit with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul before the month ends.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 closing down over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since last spring.

The president’s words revived fears of a commercial dispute between the two economic giants.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports subject to an added thirty percent tariff compared with the year’s onset, while US goods entering the Chinese market incur a ten percent duty.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the format of formal replies to journalist’s questions – reflected language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while justifying the country’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

The spokesperson remarked that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to tariff threats is not the right way to engage with Beijing,” the official said.

“Beijing’s stance” on a tariff war has consistently been unchanging: we wish to avoid one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government revealed it was tightening overseas sale regulations on rare earths and other materials vital for high-technology production.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a means of strengthening positions prior to forthcoming discussions.

Remains uncertain whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks, will go ahead.