US raises tariffs, China retaliates amid escalating trade war

The United States and China have increased tariffs on billions worth of each other’s goods in an escalation of the trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

The US began collecting 25 percent tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods arriving in American ports on Saturday morning.

US President Donald Trump imposed the tariff increase on May 10, raising them from 10 percent to 25 percent. He has also taken steps to levy duties on all remaining Chinese imports.

The tariff increase affects a broad range of consumer goods from China, including internet modems and routers, printed circuit boards, lighting products, furniture and vacuum cleaners.

Last year, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on a separate category of Chinese machinery and technology goods worth $50 billion.

China also began collecting higher retaliatory tariffs on Saturday on much of a $60 billion target list of US goods.

The tariffs, announced on May 13 and taking effect as of midnight in Beijing, apply additional 20 percent or 25 percent tariffs on more than half of the 5,140 US products targeted.

Beijing had previously imposed additional rates of 5 percent or 10 percent on the targeted goods.

No further trade talks between top US and Chinese Chinese negotiators have been scheduled since the last round ended in a stalemate on May 10, the same day when Trump announced higher tariffs. China ordered the latest tariff increases in response to Trump’s move.

Beijing has grown more vocal in recent weeks, accusing Washington of lacking sincerity and vowing that it will not cave to the demands of the Trump administration.

SS