China hits US with retaliatory tariffs

(The Hill) – China hit the U.S. back with retaliatory tariffs across the board over President Trump’s enforcement of tariffs on Chinese goods that went into effect on Tuesday. 

China’s Ministry of Finance announced the countermeasures, imposing a 15 percent tariff on liquefied natural gas and coal. China also said it would slap a 10 percent tariff on crude oil, pickup trucks, agricultural machinery and large-displacement cars. 

The tariffs are set to take effect next week on Feb. 10. 

“The US’s unilateral imposition of tariffs seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization,” the State Council Tariff Commission said in the announcement. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems but also undermines the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US.” 

China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would also impose export controls on several critical elements — including tellurium, bismuth, tungsten, indium and molybdenum. 

China went after Google whose search engine is not operational in the East Asia country. The State Administration for Market Regulation announced Tuesday it will be starting an anti-trust probe into the company.

The retaliatory measures from Beijing came as Trump’s additional 10 percent tariff went into effect Tuesday after a broad measure was signed by the president over the weekend.

The tariff threat came as part of Trump’s broader trade agenda with America’s neighbors, Canada and Mexico. Trump said he would levy a 25 percent tariff on each of the country’s goods coming into the U.S., a push that his administration argues is for forcing those nations to crack down on the influx of fentanyl and other illegal drugs in the country and better enforce border security. 

Trump spoke with leaders of both countries separately on Monday and decided to postpone the tariffs for one month after getting assurances from both that each nation would assist in enforcing border security and curbing the flow of illegal drugs coming across the nations’ borders. 

“I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a ‘deal’ between our two Countries,” Trump said Monday following a call with the Mexican president.