Beijing has vowed countermeasures against Washington if US President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to impose new 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports.

Trump's latest threat came after China unleashed a raft of export restrictions on rare earth minerals last week.

The escalating tensions threaten to derail months of progress in trade talks.

"Resorting to threats of high tariffs is not the right way to engage with China," a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said on Sunday, in Beijing's first comments on the threat.

"If the US persists in acting unilaterally, China will resolutely take corresponding measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," the spokesperson added.

"Our position on a tariff war remains consistent – we do not want one, but we are not afra

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