China's government on Sunday denounced the Trump administration's imposition of a long-threatened 10% tariff on Chinese imports while leaving the door open for talks with the U.S. that could avoid a deepening conflict.

China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would file a legal case at the World Trade Organization, but signaled it still wanted a stable relationship with the U.S.

The move likely will trigger retaliation and risk igniting a trade war that could cause broad economic disruption for all countries involved.