MANILA, Sept 18 (Reuters) – London copper drifted lower for a third session running on Tuesday as China vowed to respond to the latest U.S. tariffs on about $200 billion of Chinese goods, exacerbating the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.
In imposing the new tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that if China takes retaliatory action against U.S. farmers or industries, “we will immediately pursue phase three, which is tariffs on approximately $267 billion of additional imports.”
China’s commerce ministry said the country has no choice but to retaliate against the fresh U.S. tariffs and hopes the United States would correct its behaviour.
“We know China can’t go tit for tat as they don’t have enough U.S. goods to tax,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia Pacific trading at OANDA brokerage.
“So, if there is a more heavy-handed approach such as flat-out import restriction or overtly weakening the yuan, it could certainly bring the big market bears out of hibernation,” Innes said in a note to clients.
Commodities Weekly: Copper nears 15-month low as fresh tariffs announced
