China has slapped extra tariffs of up to 25 per cent on 128 US products including frozen pork, as well as on wine and certain fruits and nuts, in response to US duties on imports of aluminium and steel, China’s finance ministry says.

The tariffs, to take effect on Monday, were announced late on Sunday and match a list of potential tariffs on up to $US3 billion ($3.9 billion) in US goods published by China on March 23.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said it was suspending its obligations to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to reduce tariffs on 120 US goods, including fruit. The tariff on the products will be raised to 15 per cent.

Another eight products, including pork, will now be subject to tariffs of 25 per cent, it said, with the measures effective from April 2.

China has imposed the tariffs amid escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Washington.

US President Donald Trump is preparing to impose tariffs of more than $US50 billion ($65 billion) on Chinese goods intended to punish Beijing over US accusations that China systematically misappropriated American intellectual property – allegations Beijing denies.

China has repeatedly promised to open its economy further, but many foreign companies continue to complain of unfair treatment. China warned the United States on Thursday not to open a Pandora’s Box and spark a flurry of protectionist practices across the globe.

In a statement published on Monday morning, MOFCOM said the United States had “seriously violated” the principles of non-discrimination enshrined in World Trade Organisation rules, and had also damaged China’s interests.

“China’s suspension of some of its obligations to the United States is its legitimate right as a member of the World Trade Organisation,” it said, adding that differences between the world’s two largest economies should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.