China unveils new tariffs on US goods in response to Trump duties
China on Tuesday announced additional tariffs of up to 15 percent on some American imports, effective Feb. 10, shortly after a new 10 percent U.S. tariff on Chinese goods was to take effect, rekindling a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
The measures unveiled in response to what is known as the first imposition of new U.S. tariffs against any country after President Donald Trump returned to the White House followed his decision to pause 25 percent American duties on imports from Canada and Mexico for 30 days just before they were due to go into effect.
U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas will face a new 15 percent Chinese tariff, while a 10 percent levy will be imposed on goods such as crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine automobiles, the Chinese Finance Ministry said.
China also said it has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the new U.S. tariffs.”The U.S. imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese products has seriously violated the WTO rules, and this egregious act is typical of unilateralism and trade protectionism,” the Chinese Commerce Ministry said, adding the step “erodes the foundation of China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation.”
An anti-monopoly watchdog in Beijing said Tuesday it has launched an investigation into U.S. tech giant Google, despite the company’s services being effectively banned in mainland China.
China also imposed restrictions on U.S.-bound exports of items related to materials such as tungsten and molybdenum to “safeguard national security and interests,” the Commerce Ministry said. Those materials can be used to manufacture military equipment.
Trump’s 10 percent tariffs on China took effect at 12:01 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Reuters reported. He has told reporters the United States will be speaking to China “probably over the next 24 hours.
“On Saturday, the U.S. president signed executive orders imposing fresh tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China. He has accused the three countries of not doing enough to crack down on trafficking of fentanyl, an opioid that is the leading cause of U.S. overdose deaths, among other issues.
The planned U.S. tariffs on imports from the two neighboring countries will be paused as Trump has secured new commitments on improving border security from them. The president said he wants to negotiate an even better deal with both Canada and Mexico.
Canada, China and Mexico accounted for about 40 percent of total U.S. imports in 2023, with many mainstream economists warning that such steep levies on the countries would result in higher prices for consumers, contrary to Trump’s promise to lower the cost of living.
Trump has acknowledged in recent days that the first round of import tariffs since he returned to the White House on Jan. 20 for a nonconsecutive second term would cause “short-term” domestic disruptions.
But he has insisted they would eventually be good for the U.S. economy, denying the likelihood of upward pressure on prices.
In an apparent bid to prevent gasoline prices from rising sharply, Trump had said Canadian energy would be subject to a 10 percent tariff rather than the 25 percent rate set for other imports from the country.
