WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has formally objected to the World Bank’s plans to continue lending to China, the latest flash point in a long-running battle between the world’s largest economies.

The objection comes at a delicate moment, as Washington and Beijing try to reach a Phase 1 trade agreement within the next 10 days. President Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on about $156 billion of Chinese imports on Dec. 15, a step that would inflame tensions and result in America taxing nearly every product imported from China.

While the two sides continue to negotiate, Washington has begun ratcheting up pressure on China — threatening sanctions over its treatment of Muslims and ethnic minorities and now protesting the World Bank’s financial support of China. The confrontational approach has raised concerns that the trade talks could again be derailed.

On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told lawmakers on the House Financial Services Committee that the United States had objected to the World Bank’s new five-year framework for lending to China and working on projects there.