US equity futures were lower pre-bell Monday as traders monitored developments surrounding the global tariff situation.

Dow Jones Industrial Average futures were down 1.1%, S&P 500 futures fell 1.3%, and Nasdaq futures were 1.6% lower.

China's commerce ministry warned it will take countermeasures against countries negotiating with the US at its expense.

Oil prices were lower, with front-month global benchmark North Sea Brent crude down 2.2% at $66.47 per barrel and US West Texas Intermediate crude 2.3% lower at $62.52 per barrel.

Forecasters see a 0.5% fall in the index of leading economic indicators for March, slated for 10 am ET, after a 0.3% decline in February, according to estimates compiled by Bloomberg.