With US stocks back in the red for the day, Global Times editor Hu Xijin, one of Beijing's favorite English-language mouthpieces and perhaps the most obvious candidate for 'anti-Trump' Twitter foil, has offered a stern warning to keep the market's frothy enthusiasm in check.

One day before leaders of each side's trade delegation are expected to begin meeting in Osaka ahead of this week's G-20 summit (and long-anticipated meeting, Hu warned that the "current atmosphere" between Washington and Beijing is "not good".

Current atmosphere between China and the US is not good. What I have learned about China's stance now is: holding constructive and positive attitude toward upcoming China-US summit, but fully preparing for its failure and an escalating trade war. — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) June 24, 2019

According to Hu, China's attitude going into the summit is "positive", but "fully preparing for its failure and an escalation" of the trade war.

Furthermore, Hu had some particularly harsh words for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, labeling the Secretary of State a "troublesome" figure in US-China relations and insisting that Pompeo "can no longer play the role of a top US diplomat between the two countries."

.@SecPompeo has become the most troublesome US official for China. He can no longer play the role of a top US diplomat between the two countries. To China, he is still a CIA director who takes over State Department. — Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) June 24, 2019

Beijing's attacks on the secretary of state come as Pompeo wrapped up a string of meetings in the Middle East with King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince. This isn't the first time Pompeo has earned the ire of Beijing. Last October, Pompeo became embroiled in a public confrontation with top Chinese official during what was supposed to be an amicable press conference in Beijing.