China has retaliated against the United States’ latest tariff hike by imposing counter-duties on several American products and launching an investigation into tech giant Google, increasing tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Days following Washington imposed a 10% import duty on Chinese goods, Beijing announced a 15% tariff on US coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), along with a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-displacement cars.
In a statement, the Chinese government accused the United States of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, saying, “The US’s unilateral tariff increase seriously violates WTO regulations. It is not only ineffective in solving its own problems but also disrupts normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US.”
The tariffs are set to get implement in the coming days, further increasing tensions between the two economic superpowers.
China’s State Administration for Market Regulation said it is investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws. While the announcement did not mention any tariffs, the announcement came just minutes following Trump’s 10% tariffs were to take effect. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on Chinese imports is set to take effect on Tuesday, though he is expected to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days.
A day following US President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on imports from China, Canada, and Mexico, Beijing warned of ‘countermeasures’ and hinted at challenging the decision at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However, it also kept the door open for negotiations to avoid a full-scale trade war.
Last week, China’s finance and commerce ministries issued a statement, condemning the 10% tariff imposed on Chinese imports. “The unilateral tariff increase by the United States seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organization. China will file a lawsuit with the WTO for the wrong practices of the United States and will take corresponding countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests.,” the statement read.
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