Donald Trump announces tariffs on $US50 billion worth of Chinese goods
US President Donald Trump has announced hefty tariffs on $US50 billion of Chinese import as Beijing responded in kind,
escalating a trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.
Key points:
- Donald Trump vows further measures if Beijing strikes back
- The tariffs would impact Chinese imports containing industrially significant technologies
- China has threatened tariffs on US goods including soybeans, aircraft, and cars
Mr Trump, whose hard-line stance on trade has seen him wrangle with allies, said in a statement that a 25 per cent tariff would be
imposed on a list of strategically important imports from China.
The US Trade Representative's (USTR) office said the tariffs would begin on July 6, and be implemented in two tranches.
About $US34 billion ($45 billion) worth of imports on a tranche of 818 product categories — excluding television sets and other
consumer products — would the first to fall under the new rules.
A second tranche of tariffs on 284 product categories worth $US16 billion would go into effect at a later date after a public comment period.
Mr Trump also vowed further measures if Beijing struck back,but denied there was a trade war after announcing the tariffs.