China announced on Tuesday that it will impose a 15% tariff on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, responding to Washington’s recent decision to levy a 10% tariff on Chinese goods.
In a statement, China’s Ministry of Finance also revealed plans to introduce a 10% tariff on US crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks, and vehicles with large-displacement engines, such as sports cars.
Beijing described the move as a direct response to the “unilateral tariff hike” imposed by the United States over the weekend, accusing Washington of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
“The US tariff increase seriously violates WTO regulations, fails to address its own economic challenges, and disrupts normal trade cooperation between China and the United States,” the ministry stated.
The new Chinese tariffs are set to take effect next Monday.
The US had earlier announced sweeping tariff measures against major trade partners, including China, with an additional 10% duty imposed on Chinese imports on top of existing levies.
US President Donald Trump justified the tariffs as a measure to penalize countries that, he claimed, had failed to curb illegal migration and drug trafficking, particularly fentanyl, into the United States.
