China denounced the United States' latest threat to impose tariffs on an extra $200 billion worth of Chinese imports as "totally unacceptable" trade hegemony and bullying, and vowed on Wednesday to fight back to protect its "core interests".

It is totally unacceptable for the US to publish a tariff list in a way that escalates tensions, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

"To defend the core interests of the nation and its people, the Chinese government will, as always, be forced to impose necessary countermeasures," it said.

The ministry gave no details of possible retaliation, but Beijing earlier promised both "qualitative and quantitative" comprehensive countermeasures. It also said it will add a new suit against the US before the WTO regarding the newly proposed tariffs.

Also on Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying described the US' latest move as "trade hegemony and bullying", saying China will have to respond to firmly safeguard its legitimate interests.