China warns of retaliation in tariff row

Last week Trump announced 25% tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports

BEIJING: China on Tuesday accused Donald Trump of blackmail and warned it would retaliate in kind after the US president threatened to impose fresh tariffs on Chinese goods, pushing the world’s two biggest economies closer to a trade war.

Trump said on Monday he had asked the US Trade Representative to target $200 billion worth of imports for a 10% levy, citing China’s 'unacceptable' move to raise its own tariffs.



He added he would identify an extra $200 billion of goods - for a possible total of $450 billion, or most Chinese imports - if China increases its tariffs yet again.

“Further action must be taken to encourage China to change its unfair practices, open its market to United States goods and accept a more balanced trade relationship,” Trump said in a statement.

Last week, he announced 25% tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate with matching duties on US goods.



The US leader warned on Friday of additional tariffs should Beijing hit back with tit-for-tat measures.

“The trade relationship between the US and China must be much more equitable,” he said while explaining his latest decision.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2018.

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