In a statement cited by the WTO, China said the measures appeared inconsistent with U.S. obligations under the agreement that led to the creation of the trade body, pointing to the discriminatory nature of the tariffs.

China has formally initiated a dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on its products, the Geneva-based body said Wednesday.

Trump on Saturday ordered tariffs on products from Mexico, Canada and China, demanding they stop the flow of fentanyl and, in the case of his neighbors, illegal immigration.

It subsequently froze tariffs against the two North American countries, but went ahead with those against China.

China, the target of Trump's 10% tariffs on goods exports, had vowed to challenge the measure at the WTO.

In a statement cited by the WTO, China said the measures appeared inconsistent with U.S. obligations under the agreement that led to the creation of the trade body, pointing to the discriminatory nature of the tariffs.

"China reserves the right to raise additional measures and complaints regarding the matters identified herein during the course of consultations and in any future panel request," the Chinese statement said, without detailing what steps it might take.

Since December 2019, the WTO dispute settlement system has been effectively paralyzed following the collapse of its Appellate Body, which has the final say in disputes.

The first Trump administration and the Biden administration blocked the appointment of new judges to the Appellate Body over what they saw as judicial overreach in disputes. The body cannot function with fewer than three judges.

(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin and Urvi Dugar; Editing by Javier Leira)