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Donald Trump’s most recent warning to enforce an further full import duty on Chinese goods has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, as stated by the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry further commented that China could introduce its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the US President carries out his pledge, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a potential trade war.

On Friday, Trump hit back at China’s decision to strengthen its regulations for overseas sales of critical elements, charging Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “captive”.

Additionally, he vowed to withdraw from a arranged summit with China’s President Xi, which was set for a summit in South Korea in the coming weeks.

The former president’s remarks on last Friday shook financial markets, with the S&P 500 share index closing down 2.7%, marking its steepest fall since last spring.

These statements revived concerns of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

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

This left, US tariffs on Chinese imports subject to an extra 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while American products entering China are subject to a 10% tariff.

China’s latest remarks – published by the relevant government department in the form of official answers to journalist’s questions – echoed language from the zenith of the recent trade conflict.

Officials denounced United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while justifying the country’s own export controls on key elements as “normal actions” to ensure state interests and that of the global community.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the America had “overstretched the concept of state security, misused export control measures and “adopted biased policies against Beijing.

“Resorting to trade levy ultimatums is not the right way to deal with Beijing,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a import duty dispute has always been consistent: we are not seeking one, but we are unafraid of one.”

Last week, the Chinese government announced it was reinforcing export controls on key elements and other materials critical for high-technology production.

This was seen as a important measure, as the nation processes about 90% of the global rare earth supply, which are employed in items such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by observers as a means of bolstering negotiating stances in preparation for forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a high-level meeting in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.