China's Ministry of Commerce vowed on Tuesday to fight US tariffs "to the end," responding to US President Donald Trump's threat to impose new 50% tariffs on imports from the world's second-largest economy.

"The US threat to increase tariffs on China is a double mistake that once again reveals the blackmailing nature of the US," a ministry spokesman said.

"China will never accept this. If the United States insists on pursuing its own path, China will fight it to the end," he stressed.

"If the United States escalates its tariff measures, China will take firm countermeasures to protect its rights and interests," he added.

Trump's decision to impose comprehensive tariffs has destabilized the global economy and raised fears of an international recession.

Beijing, Washington's main economic rival, announced a decision to impose retaliatory tariffs of 34% on US goods, scheduled to take effect on Thursday.

But China's Ministry of Commerce also urged the United States to engage in "equal dialogue" to find a solution to the escalating trade war, noting that "there are no winners in a trade war."

"China urges the United States to... cancel all unilaterally imposed tariffs on China, stop economic and trade oppression against China, and properly resolve disputes with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect," a ministry spokesperson said.