"China has repeatedly clarified its strict position on the tariff issue," Lin said on Wednesday. "This tariff war was initiated by the United States, and China has taken necessary countermeasures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, which is completely reasonable and legal."

China now faces U.S. tariffs of up to 245%, the White House said last night as it unveiled a probe into critical minerals. But that total appears to apply only to two types of goods—electric vehicles and syringes—and isn’t new.

China will pay no attention if the United States continues to play the "tariff numbers game", China's foreign ministry said on Thursday, after the White House outline how China faces tariffs of up to 245% due to its retaliatory actions.