China will impose a 34 per cent tariff on imported American goods in addition to existing duties in response to similar moves by the United States, further escalating trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies.
The Chinese tariff will apply from April 10, according to the State Council, China’s cabinet.
The retaliation announced on Friday came two days after the US unveiled a 34 per cent tariff on Chinese goods.
The swift response suggests that Beijing is going to play tough, instead of entering into negotiations with Washington. Earlier, US President Donald Trump indicated that he was willing to cut a deal in exchange for Beijing’s approval to sell social media company TikTok.
As part of the retaliatory measures, Beijing has also suspended the eligibility of six US-linked companies to export sorghum, poultry products and poultry bone meal to China.
It has also put export controls on 16 American companies, barring Chinese companies from supplying them with dual-use items – goods that have both civilian and military applications.