China will impose 25 percent tariffs on $16 billion worth of US imports starting August 23, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on Wednesday. 

A previously announced US hike on tariff rates on Chinese products is once again placing its domestic law above international law, and China is forced to take measures to retaliate the absurd decision, said a Chinese ministry of commerce spokesperson on Wednesday.

China-US trade tension escalated as the US Trade Representative’s office on Tuesday finalized a list of $16 billion in imports from China, which are subject to a 25 percent tariff that will begin to be collected on August 23.

China's retaliation, which will take effect immediately after the US imposes its tariffs, is to protect its own legitimate interests and rights and the current world trade order, said the spokesperson.