China's Commerce Ministry urged the US not to misinterpret the situation and underestimate the determination of the Chinese on Saturday.

(File photo)

This came after the United States announced Saturday potential tariff hikes on about $550 billion of Chinese imports.

"China is strongly opposed to the tariff hike. Such unilateral and hegemonic trade protectionist and extreme pressure acts go against the consensus reached by leaders of China and the US, distorting the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits and seriously sabotaging multilateral trade system and normal trade orders. The US will pay the price eventually. China urges the US to stop making mistakes or it will suffer the consequences of its own actions," said a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce.

(Compiled by Han Xiaomeng)