In a significant escalation of trade tensions, China has introduced new tariffs targeting popular U.S. products, following President Donald Trump’s recent tariff hikes on Chinese imports.
Upon taking office, President Trump imposed tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, citing concerns over illegal immigration and drug trafficking, including fentanyl. These tariffs, essentially taxes on foreign goods, are likely to increase costs for U.S. consumers.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order raising tariffs on Chinese goods to 20 percent. The White House criticized China for not curbing the flow of precursor chemicals to criminal cartels and failing to address money laundering by transnational organizations.
The trade conflict officially began on February 4, prompting swift retaliation from President Xi Jinping. China announced a 15 percent tariff on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas, and a 10 percent levy on crude oil, farming equipment, and certain vehicles.
On March 4, China further escalated by imposing a 15 percent tariff on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, and a 10 percent increase on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, according to AP.
Additionally, China has added ten U.S. firms to its unreliable entity list, restricting their ability to invest and trade in China. Fifteen U.S. companies have also been placed on China’s export control list, barring them from exporting dual-use items.
Sun Chenghao, an international relations professor at Tsinghua University, commented on the situation: “The U.S. aims for a trade deal with China, but current negotiations face a challenging atmosphere.”
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