"We would like to recommend the United States to refrain from any actions which could harm the trade and economic relations between the two countries, otherwise the United States will fall into the pit it is digging for others," Gao said.
"The malicious practices of the United States are like opening Pandora's Box, and there is a danger of triggering a chain reaction that will spread the virus of trade protectionism across the globe," the spokesman emphasized.
The spokesman added in this regard that the Chinese government would begin consultations on countermeasures after Saturday, when the deadline for suggestions and opinions on the issue expires.
READ MORE: China Warns US of 'Serious Consequences and Negative Impact' of Trade War
The move came following Washington's decision to impose a 25-percent import tax on steel and 10-percent import tax on aluminum. The measure was criticized by US major partners, which accused Trump of excessive protectionism and pledged to impose countermeasures. As a result, Trump authorized exemptions from new metal tariffs for the European Union, Mexico, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, and South Korea until May.