China has announced fresh tariffs on a range of US agricultural imports in response to Washington’s latest tariff hike. The Chinese finance ministry confirmed on Tuesday that the new levies will take effect next week.
According to the statement, Beijing will impose an additional 15 percent tariff on US chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton. Meanwhile, a 10 percent tariff will be applied to sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
Escalating Trade Tensions
The move came after US President Donald Trump signed an order on Monday to raise the existing 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods to 20 percent. Beijing condemned the decision, calling it a “unilateral imposition of tariffs” that would increase costs for US businesses and consumers while damaging economic and trade relations between the two countries.
China’s commerce ministry also announced plans to challenge the US tariff hike at the World Trade Organization, escalating tensions in the ongoing trade dispute.
