London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2026

0:00
0:00

China Implements Tit-for-Tat Tariffs on US Goods Amid Trade Escalation

New Chinese tariffs on select American imports take effect on Monday following US levies on Chinese products, intensifying trade measures between the two nations.
China has implemented new tariffs on a range of American goods as part of its response to recent US trade measures.

The new tariffs took effect on Monday, following an announcement by Beijing on 4 February, just minutes after the United States imposed a ten percent levy on all Chinese products.

Under the new regime, China has imposed a fifteen percent border tax on imports of US coal and liquefied natural gas products, and a ten percent tariff on American crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars.

These measures come as US President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a twenty-five percent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports into the United States, along with reciprocal tariffs on other nations, details of which have not been specified.

In other related actions, Chinese authorities recently launched an anti-monopoly investigation into technology company Google and added US firm PVH, owner of the Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands, to its "unreliable entity" list.

China has also imposed export controls on twenty-five rare metals that are used in electrical products and military equipment.

During his first term, President Trump imposed a twenty-five percent tariff on steel and a ten percent tariff on aluminium, later granting duty-free quotas to trading partners including Canada, Mexico and Brazil.

In recent comments, President Trump reiterated plans for reciprocal tariffs and noted that US import taxes on vehicles remain under consideration, while he highlighted higher European Union tariffs on American car imports.

Following the implementation of US tariffs, Beijing accused Washington of making "unfounded and false allegations" regarding its role in the trade of the synthetic opioid fentanyl.

China has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization, stating that the US tariffs are "discriminatory and protectionist" and violate trade rules.

Experts have indicated that securing a favourable ruling for China may be challenging due to current issues with the WTO dispute resolution panel.

President Trump had been expected to hold discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but has stated that he is not in a hurry to engage.

Scott Kennedy, an expert in Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, remarked that "China is much better prepared than during Trump's first term," noting improvements in technology and diversification in trade and investment.

Separately, on Friday, President Trump suspended tariffs on small packages from China that took effect on 4 February until systems are established to fully and expediently process and collect tariff revenue.

This suspension led to temporary disruptions at the US Postal Service and other agencies, which initially halted and then resumed accepting packages from China.

The new tariffs and associated measures underscore the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, with both sides implementing policies aimed at protecting domestic industries.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Security Adviser Viewed US-Iran Nuclear Deal as Within Reach Before Sudden Escalation
UK Prime Minister Urges Continued Focus on Ukraine Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
UK Introduces New Safeguards to Shield Lenders from Bank Run Risks
UK Promotional Products Market Surpasses £1.3 Billion as Demand Strengthens in 2025
Reeves Pushes for Deeper UK-EU Economic Ties to Revive Growth
UK Security Adviser Saw No Imminent Iranian Nuclear Threat Days Before War Erupted
France Signals Warm Welcome for UK Return to EU Single Market Amid Renewed Cooperation Talks
UK Defence Official Criticises Boeing Over Delays to E-7 Wedgetail Programme
UK Urged to Secure Quantum Talent as Minister Warns Against Repeating AI Setbacks
UK Mayors Set to Gain New Spending Powers Under Reeves’ Fiscal Devolution Plan
Western Allies Urge Restraint as Israel Weighs Expanded Ground Operation in Lebanon
Trump Warns NATO Faces ‘Very Bad’ Future Without Stronger Allied Support in Iran Conflict
UK Minister Says Britain Not Bound to Support Every Demand From U.S. President
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
Starmer Tells Trump Britain Will Not Be Drawn Into Wider Iran War
UK Set to Introduce Steel Tariffs of Up to 50 Percent in New Industrial Strategy
European Governments Decline Trump’s Call to Send Warships to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fears Over Iran Conflict Weigh on UK Consumer Confidence
Starmer Says UK Working With Allies on Hormuz Shipping Plan After Trump Raises Pressure
Iran War and Energy Shock Shake Britain’s Economy and Political Debate
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University Leaves Two Dead and Several Seriously Ill
King Charles and Queen Camilla Share Personal Tributes to Their Mothers on UK Mother’s Day
Prince William Honors Princess Diana with Mother’s Day Tribute
UK Economy Stalls in January as Households Cut Back on Eating Out
AI-Generated Singer Becomes Viral Voice for Iranians With New Anthem
London Private Club Founder Plans Exclusive Palm Beach Venue Near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago
Ed Davey Urges Britain to Build Fully Independent Nuclear Missile Capability
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
What the UK Covid Inquiry Is and How It Investigates Britain’s Pandemic Response
US Treasury Links British Polo Patrons to Alleged Venezuelan Oil Proceeds Laundering Scheme
Hundreds Gather in London Despite Ban on Annual Pro-Palestinian March
Two Dead and Multiple Students Seriously Ill After Invasive Meningitis Outbreak at UK University
UK Considers Deploying Ships and Mine-Hunting Drones to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Starmer and Trump Discuss Urgent Need to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Iran Conflict
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Planned Australia Visit Draws Mixed Reaction From Local Communities
Trump Calls on France and UK to Help Safeguard Strait of Hormuz Shipping Route
Boris Johnson Labels Bitcoin a ‘Ponzi Scheme’, Sparking Debate in Crypto World
UK Considers Targeted Aid for Vulnerable Households as Energy Costs Rise
Stellantis Urges Immediate Review of UK Electric Vehicle Sales Targets
Home Office Reverses Course to Allow Some Dual Nationals to Enter UK Using EU Passports
Reform UK Proposes Replacing Top Civil Servants With Officials Aligned to Government Agenda
Netflix Adds Critically Acclaimed ‘Best Film of 2025’ With Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score
‘The Sums Don’t Add Up’: UK Farmers Hit by Soaring Costs as Iran War Disrupts Global Supplies
Confidential UK Biobank Health Records Found Online After Researchers Accidentally Expose Data
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Trump Urges Britain and Allies to Deploy Warships to Safeguard Strait of Hormuz
Middle East War Highlights Strategic Importance of Strong UK–Ireland Cooperation
Weak Growth Signals UK Economy Was Faltering Even Before Middle East Energy Shock
Marks & Spencer Tops UK Fashion Retail Rankings as Most Considered Brand
×