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China has slapped tariffs on imports of US LNG, coal and farm equipment and announced an antitrust probe into Google as it retaliates against Donald Trump’s imposition of a blanket additional 10 per cent tariff on its exports.
China announced the moves, which will take effect on February 10, as the new US tariff came into effect at 1pm in Beijing local time, kicking off a second round of the trade war that began during Trump’s first term.
China also said it would impose tariffs on some auto exports from the US.
Trump has accused China of not doing enough to curb the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl and its precursors into the US.
The tit-for-tat between China and the US follows a reprieve for Mexico and Canada, which Trump had threatened to hit with 25 per cent tariffs. Those tariffs were delayed for a month following last-minute talks between Trump and Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Trump had unnerved allies and investors with a weekend announcement of huge levies on Canada, Mexico and China.
Trump is expected to speak to China’s leader Xi Jinping in the coming days.
This is a developing story.
