China's Foreign Ministry condemned on Thursday Washington's new tariffs on cars and auto parts, warning that trade and tariff wars benefit no one and that no country can achieve lasting development and prosperity through protectionist measures.

Guo Jiakun, a spokesman for the ministry, made the remarks in response to the United States President Donald Trump's announcement of imposing new import taxes of 25 percent on cars and car parts coming into the US.

Trump said the latest tariffs would come into effect on April 2, with charges on businesses importing vehicles starting the next day. Charges on parts are set to start in May or later.

"We noted that major trade partners of the US have responded to this," Guo said.

The US practice violates the rules of the World Trade Organization, undermines rules-based multilateral trading system as well as the common interests of people from all countries, he said.

It will not help solve its own problem, Guo added.