*** China Slaps Tariffs on U.S. Imports in Response to Trump’s Move | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

China Slaps Tariffs on U.S. Imports in Response to Trump’s Move

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

The trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies reignited on Tuesday as China swiftly responded to new U.S. tariffs with its own set of duties on American imports. The escalation comes after President Donald Trump imposed additional tariffs, citing Beijing’s failure to curb the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.

The U.S. implemented a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports at 12:01 a.m. ET (05:01 GMT) on Tuesday. In a rapid countermeasure, China’s Finance Ministry announced levies of 15% on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), along with a 10% tariff on crude oil, farm equipment, and certain automobiles. These tariffs will take effect on February 10, the ministry confirmed.

In a separate move, China’s Commerce Ministry and Customs Administration declared new export controls on critical minerals, including tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, and molybdenum. The restrictions were justified as measures to “safeguard national security interests.”

Tensions further deepened when China announced an anti-trust investigation into U.S. tech giant Google. The probe, led by the State Administration for Market Regulation, was revealed just as the deadline for Washington’s tariffs passed, marking a renewed phase in the trade war.

Meanwhile, Trump opted for a different approach with neighboring Mexico and Canada, suspending a planned 25% tariff on imports from both countries. The White House cited last-minute concessions on border security and crime enforcement as the reason for a 30-day reprieve.

However, Beijing received no such relief. A White House spokesperson confirmed that Trump would not be engaging with Chinese President Xi Jinping until later in the week, leaving the prospect of further negotiations uncertain.
As the tit-for-tat measures take effect, global markets brace for the impact of renewed hostilities between the two economic superpowers.