STORY: Analysts believe President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming term could be the start of a bruising four-year trade war.

And on Thursday (Nov 28), China hit back against Trump's pledge to put additional tariffs on Chinese goods over fentanyl flows.

A spokesperson for China's commerce ministry said the incoming administration was pushing to blame China for the U.S. opioid crisis.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, HE YADONG, SAYING:

"China's stance of opposing unilateral tariff increases has been consistent. Imposing tariffs arbitrarily on trade partners cannot solve the problems within the United States itself."

Trump, who takes office on January 20th, said on Monday he would impose a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.

He says he wants Beijing to do more to stop the trafficking of Chinese-made chemicals used in fentanyl, a highly addictive narcotic.

He also threatened tariffs in excess of 60% on Chinese goods while on the campaign trail.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON, HE YADONG, SAYING:

"The United States should abide by World Trade Organisation rules and work with China to promote the stable and sustainable development of economic and trade relations, in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation."

Trump's comments fired the starting gun for what some expect to be a trade war, potentially much worse than his first term.

That saw tariffs of between 7% and 25%, and global supply chains uprooted.