China's government on Sunday denounced the Trump administration's imposition of a long-threatened 10% tariff on Chinese imports while leaving the door open for talks with the U.S. that could avoid a deepening conflict.

The ministry said Beijing would file a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization, arguing that ’the unilateral imposition of tariffs by the United States seriously violates WTO rules'

China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would file a legal case at the World Trade Organization, but signaled it still wanted a stable relationship with the U.S.

President Donald Trump announced an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese exports to the US, citing unfair trade practices and the fentanyl crisis. China vowed to take countermeasures against this move and warned about potential impacts on bilateral cooperation regarding drug control.

President Donald Trump took action Saturday to impose new tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China, the White House said, which could have a sweeping impact on the American economy. The additional tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods will be 25 percent,

American importers will pay a new 25 percent tax on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent levy on products from China.

After Canada and Mexico, China also reacted to the additional 10 per cent tariff imposed on Beijing by US President Donald Trump and said that it was a 'serious violation' of the World Trade Organisation rules.