Donald Trump has threatened to impose tariffs worth hundreds of billions of dollars on Chinese imports to the US as a trade war between the world’s two largest economies began on Friday.
US tariffs on $34bn (£25.7bn) of Chinese goods have come into effect.
China retaliated by imposing a similar 25% tariff on 545 US products, also worth a total of $34bn.
The US President said America may target Chinese goods worth $500bn – the total value of Chinese imports in 2017.
Beijing accused the US of starting the “largest trade war in economic history” and has lodged a case with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“Trade war is never a solution,” said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. “China would never start a trade war but if any party resorts to an increase of tariffs then China will take measures in response to protect development interests.”
The government-run English language China Daily newspaper said: “The Trump administration is behaving like a gang of hoodlums with its shakedown of other countries, particularly China.”
via BBC
