China will have to take countermeasures to respond to the US' fresh tariff decision, in a move to safeguard the country's legitimate interests and the global free trade order, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

The ministry said it "deeply regrets" that in spite of the overwhelming international and domestic oppositions, the US announced a 10 percent tariff on $200 billion worth Chinese goods starting from Sept 24 and will also adopt other tariff measures.

The US insists on leveraging tariff hikes, which brings new uncertainty to the negotiations between the two sides, the ministry said.

The ministry added it hoped that the US will recognize the potential negative consequences of its tariff actions and correct them in a timely manner.