Beijing, April 21 -- China has issued a strong warning to countries considering broader trade agreements with the United States that might harm Beijing's interests, intensifying rhetoric in the ongoing tariff standoff between the world's two largest economies.

The warning comes as reports suggest the US, under the Trump administration, plans to pressure countries seeking tariff relief to limit their trade with China. While the US imposed a general 10% tariff on most countries, Chinese goods are being hit with levies of up to 145%. In retaliation, China has slapped tariffs of up to 125% on American products.

China's Ministry of Commerce said on Monday it "firmly opposes" any trade negotiations between other nations and the US that would ...