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Trump’s most recent ultimatum to impose an extra full import duty on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the Chinese government.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own unspecified “retaliatory steps” if the White House occupant follows through on his pledge, adding that the country was “fearless” of a potential trade conflict.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to tighten its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, accusing China of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the world “captive”.

Additionally, he warned to withdraw from a scheduled summit with Beijing’s head of state President Xi, which was set for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday unsettled global markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down nearly three percent, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

His comments reignited apprehensions of a trade conflict between the two economic giants.

This past spring, the respective governments had reached an agreement to drop significant levies on each other’s products, which had raised the prospect of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

Consequently, American import duties on products from China facing an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while American products entering the Chinese market face a ten percent duty.

China’s latest remarks – issued by the relevant government department in the manner of official answers to media inquiries – mirrored language from the peak of the recent trade conflict.

They criticised American limits on exports on electronic components while defending Beijing’s export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to safeguard state interests and that of every country.

Their representative remarked that for “many years”, the US had “broadened the definition” of domestic safety, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against China.

“Resorting to import duty warnings is not the proper method to engage with Beijing,” the official commented.

“China’s position on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are fearless of one.”

Recently, Beijing revealed it was strengthening export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances critical for high-technology production.

This move was regarded as a important measure, as the country handles about the vast majority of the world’s rare earths, which are used in goods such as solar panels and mobile phones.

New remarks from Washington and Beijing are being seen by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to forthcoming discussions.

It is unclear whether a summit between Trump and President Xi, expected at a high-level meeting in Seoul in the coming weeks, will still proceed.