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Donald Trump’s latest threat to introduce an additional full import duty on products from China has been called a “classic case” of United States’ contradictory behavior, per the China’s leadership.

A representative of the ministry also stated that China could implement its own undisclosed “countermeasures” if the White House occupant executes his pledge, noting that the country was “fearless” of a possible commercial battle.

This past Friday, Trump hit back at Beijing’s move to tighten its policies for foreign shipments of critical elements, accusing Beijing of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the world “hostage”.

Additionally, he threatened to cancel a arranged meeting with Chinese leader Xi, which was set for a conference in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook financial markets, with the benchmark US stock index dropping over two and a half percent, marking its steepest fall since April.

These statements renewed apprehensions of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

In May, the both nations had agreed to drop triple-digit tariffs on each other’s products, which had led to concerns of commerce ceasing between the two nations.

This left, US tariffs on products from China facing an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the country face a 10% tariff.

Beijing’s recent statements – issued by the Ministry of Commerce in the form of written responses to press queries – echoed rhetoric from the height of the ongoing trade dispute.

Officials denounced American limits on exports on electronic components while supporting the country’s own export controls on rare earth minerals as “normal actions” to protect national security and that of every country.

Their representative stated that for “an extended period”, the US had “expanded the interpretation” of national security, abused overseas sale restrictions and “implemented” biased policies against China.

“Using” tariff threats is not the right way to interact with China,” their representative stated.

“The nation’s view” on a tariff war has always been steady: we are not seeking one, but we are not afraid of one.”

The previous week, China announced it was reinforcing export controls on rare earth minerals and additional substances essential to cutting-edge industry.

The action was viewed as a important measure, as the country processes about ninety percent of the global rare earth supply, which are utilized in products such as photovoltaic modules and handheld devices.

Latest statements from both governments are being viewed by some as a strategy of bolstering negotiating stances ahead of forthcoming discussions.

Is not yet known whether a talks between Trump and China’s leader, planned at a high-level meeting in Seoul later this month, will go ahead.