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Trump’s newest ultimatum to impose an further full import duty on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry additionally remarked that the nation could implement its own undisclosed “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant carries out his threat, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a looming trade war.

Last Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to reinforce its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “under its control”.

Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw from a planned summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was set for a meeting in South Korea before the month ends.

The former president’s remarks on Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index falling by over two and a half percent, marking its largest decline since earlier this year.

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

This past spring, the two sides had consented to remove significant levies on each other’s products, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese goods subject to an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering China face a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – published by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of formal replies to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

The remarks condemned American limits on exports on semiconductors and chips while defending Beijing’s export controls on key elements as “standard procedures” to protect national security and that of the global community.

The official stated that for “an extended period”, the United States had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “enforced” biased policies against the Chinese nation.

“Using” tariff threats is not the proper method to interact with the Chinese government,” their representative commented.

“China’s position on a tariff war has remained steady: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, the Chinese government declared it was strengthening export controls on key elements and other materials vital for advanced tech manufacturing.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the nation refines about the vast majority of the planet’s critical minerals, which are used in goods such as renewable energy components and handheld devices.

Latest statements from Washington and Beijing are being viewed by some as a method of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, planned at a conference in Seoul before month’s end, will go ahead.