The Chinese government placed additional tariffs of 125 percent on imports from the United States on Saturday.



The move comes after the administration of US President Donald Trump repeatedly imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods. The US said on Thursday that the levies add up to 145 percent.



In response, the Chinese government announced on Friday that additional tariffs on US imports will total 125 percent.



Beijing also said it will ignore any more tariff increases by Washington.



A Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said the US repeatedly raising abnormally high tariffs on China has become a numbers game that has no practical economic significance.



White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a news conference on Friday, "If China intends to make a deal with the United States, if China continues to retaliate, it's not good for China."



She also said, "The President has made it clear he is open to a deal with China."



Leavitt was asked about China's comment that it will ignore any further tariff escalations from the US. Asked if Trump sees this as Beijing backing down, the spokesperson said the tariff rate on China remains at the 145 percent level.



It is unusual that the world's largest and second largest economies have imposed tariffs of more than 100 percent on each other. This will likely deal a serious blow to the global economy.



It is uncertain how the trade friction between the world's two largest economies could develop in the coming days and months.