"We have the confidence and capability to respond to any US protectionist measures," spokesman Lu Kang said in a statement. "The US action has recklessly disregarded the 40 years of China-US economic cooperation, which mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. It has recklessly disregarded the outcry from the business community and interests of consumers.

"It serves neither China's interest, nor US interest, even less the interest of the global economy," Lu added.

The Chinese embassy in Washington said in a statement that "we hope that the US side, with sense and long-term picture in mind, refrains from going further down the wrong path".

The USTR said its proposed list of products is based on extensive interagency economic analysis and would target products that benefit from China's industrial plans while minimizing the impact on the US economy.

Sectors subject to the proposed tariffs include industries such as aerospace, information and communications technology, robotics and machinery. The list covers mostly industrial products and non-consumer goods, such as aircraft seats, military rifles, machine parts, instruments, medical products, video monitors, and furnaces and ovens.