US moves forward on proposed US$200 bil China tariff list

WASHINGTON (July 11): The Trump administration pushed ahead with plans to impose tariffs on additional US$200 billion ($272 billion) in Chinese products by releasing a list of targets, marking a sharp escalation in a trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

The tariffs could take effect after public consultations end on Aug. 30, according to a statement from the US Trade Representative’s office Tuesday. The proposed list of goods includes consumer items such as clothing, television components and refrigerators as well as other high-tech items, but it omitted some high-profile products like mobile phones.

The US said it had no choice but to move forward on the new tariffs after China failed to respond to the administration’s concerns over unfair trade practices and Beijing’s abuse of American intellectual property, according to two senior officials who spoke to reporters. High-level talks between the two countries starting in May failed to deliver a breakthrough to head off a trade war.

---

Related Stories

• Trump's tariffs hurt more than just China
• Bitcoin resumes advance, rekindles US$100,000 milestone optimism
• That's what friends are for

---