China has retaliated against new tariffs announced by President Trump, implementing 10 to 15 percent hikes on various American agricultural and food products. This response comes after the US doubled tariffs on Chinese goods to 20 percent and imposed additional 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada. The Chinese tariffs include 15 percent on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, alongside a 10 percent increase on soybeans, pork, and other products from March 10. China argues that the US actions violate World Trade Organization rules and have threatened its economic interests, denying any wrongdoing related to drug flows.
Beijing:
China has quickly responded to the new US tariffs introduced by President Donald Trump, implementing hikes of 10 to 15 percent on import duties for various American agricultural and food products. This action puts twenty-five US companies under export and investment restrictions.
This response follows the United States’ decision to double duties on Chinese goods to 20 percent and impose new 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, igniting new trade disputes with the three largest trading partners of the US.
“Beijing will set a 15 percent additional tariff on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, along with an extra 10 percent levy on US soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy imports effective March 10,” stated the finance ministry in a press release.
In another announcement, China’s commerce ministry emphasized that the unilateral tariff actions taken by the United States significantly breach World Trade Organization regulations and damage the foundation for economic and trade collaboration between China and the US.
“China will steadfastly protect its legitimate rights and interests,” the statement asserted.
Trump Tariffs On China
The additional 10 percent duty, threatened by US President Donald Trump last week, came into effect at 0501 GMT on March 4, leading to a total tariff of 20 percent in response to what the White House perceives as Chinese negligence regarding drug trafficking.
This cumulative 20 percent duty is in addition to tariffs of up to 25 percent that Trump applied during his initial term on about $370 billion worth of US imports. Some of these items experienced significant tariff increases under former President Joe Biden last year, with a doubling of duties on Chinese semiconductors to 50 percent and a quadrupling of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to over 100 percent.
The 20 percent tariff will be enforced on a variety of major consumer electronics imports from China that were previously unaffected by earlier tariffs, such as smartphones, laptops, video game consoles, smartwatches, speakers, and Bluetooth devices.
The United States has contended that China provides chemicals necessary for fentanyl production. China has denied any allegations of misconduct.