The new measures include a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-displacement vehicles.
“The U.S.’s unilateral tariff hikes seriously violate World Trade Organization rules,” the ministry stated. “Rather than resolving its own issues, these actions disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the U.S.”
The tariffs come in response to the 10% levy ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese imports, which was scheduled to take effect Tuesday. However, Trump was expected to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days.
Additionally, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation announced an antitrust investigation into Google, though it did not explicitly link the move to the tariff dispute. The announcement came just minutes after the U.S. tariffs were implemented. – AP
