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Donald Trump’s most recent ultimatum to enforce an extra 100% tariff on products from China has been labeled a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A official from China’s Commerce Ministry further commented that China could implement its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader executes his pledge, emphasizing that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

Last Friday, the former president retaliated at the Chinese government’s action to reinforce its regulations for foreign shipments of critical elements, charging the Chinese leadership of “turning aggressive” and attempting to hold the international market “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to pull out of a scheduled meeting with Beijing’s head of state Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place during a meeting in the Republic of Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on that day rattled global markets, with the benchmark US stock index falling by 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since earlier this year.

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

In May, the two sides had reached an agreement to remove significant levies on each other’s goods, which had raised the prospect of bilateral trade stopping between the two nations.

This left, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an added thirty percent tariff compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country are subject to a import levy.

The most recent comments from China – released by the Commerce Ministry in the format of formal replies to media inquiries – echoed terminology from the zenith of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on electronic components while supporting the country’s own overseas sale regulations on key elements as “standard procedures” to ensure domestic safety and that of all nations.

The official stated that for “many years”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, misused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted discriminatory practices against Beijing.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to engage with the Chinese government,” the official commented.

“Beijing’s stance” on a trade conflict has remained consistent: we do not want one, but we are not afraid of one.”

Last week, Beijing announced it was strengthening foreign shipment restrictions on key elements and other materials vital for cutting-edge industry.

This move was regarded as a key move, as the country refines about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in items such as renewable energy components and mobile phones.

The recent comments from both governments are being interpreted by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances prior to future trade talks.

Is not yet known whether a summit between Donald Trump and President Xi, scheduled at a summit in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.