Beijing will challenge President Trump’s new levies with a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization, said a spokesperson from the Commerce Ministry. The spokesperson called the U.S. actions a “blatant act of unilateralism and trade protectionism.

In a statement, the ministry’s spokesperson vowed further “countermeasures” against the United States but did not specify what steps it would take.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has promised to implement countermeasures and has accused the United States of violating trade rules.

Trump argues the tariffs are necessary to “protect Americans” and to curb the export of fentanyl. But for our North American neighbors, the move sparked an undeniable sense of betrayal.

But Mr Trump’s most incendiary claims are reserved for China. The Communist Party, he says, “has subsidised and otherwise incentivised” Chinese firms to “export fentanyl and related precursor chemicals that are used to produce synthetic opioids sold illicitly in the United States”.

If the dispute is not resolved after 60 days, "the complainant may request adjudication by a panel." Experts then assess whether the tariffs are compliant with WTO rules, in a pro

Beijing has on Tuesday revealed that it has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over US President Donald Trump's tariff hikes on Chinese goods.