(Yicai Global) March 5 -- Proposed US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will damage the multilateral trading system represented by the World Trade Organization and impact the international trade order, according to a senior official at China's commerce ministry.

China hopes the US will respect the authority of the multilateral trading system and work with countries to maintain the normal order of international trade and consolidate the foundation for world economic recovery. If the US ultimately undermines China's interests, it will take measures together with other affected countries to safeguard their legitimate rights, Wang Hejun, director of the ministry's trade remedy bureau, said in a statement posted on its website on March 2.

US President Donald Trump said the day before that imported steel and aluminum products have seriously damaged US industry and threatened America's national security. To revitalize the sectors the administration would levy duties at 25 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The US mainly imports middle- and low-grade steel and aluminum products for civilian use, which does not affect national security. The European Union, Canada, Brazil, South Korea and other countries and regions have already opposed the proposed new US tariffs. Several trade associations in the US have also expressed their dissent, Wang added.