Trump has threatened sweeping tariffs on allies and adversaries alike, including China, in the month since he took office.

But he suggested on Wednesday that a trade agreement with Beijing was "possible", adding that the United States had already agreed to a "great trade deal with China" in 2020.

Asked on Thursday about Trump's comments, Beijing's foreign ministry said the two countries "should resolve their concerns through dialogue and consultation based on equality and mutual respect".

"Trade and tariff wars have no winners and only serve to damage the interests of people all over the world," ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular news briefing.

"We resolutely oppose the US side's methods of unilateral tariff increases," Guo said, adding that China would "continue to take necessary measures to resolutely uphold its own legitimate interests".

China's commerce ministry said at a separate news conference that Beijing "urges the US side not to wield the big stick of tariffs at every turn, using tariffs as a tool to engage in coercion all around".

"The American side should correct its erroneous ways and work with all countries... to find solutions," ministry spokesman He Yadong said.

At the beginning of February, Trump imposed additional customs duties of 10 percent on all products imported from China.

He has also signed executive orders imposing new 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium, due to come into effect in March.

A Chinese steel industry body warned this month that the move was likely to have an "adverse impact" on the sector.