Trump administration recommends tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports

(Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

last updated 4 April 2018

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Tuesday proposed imposing 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports.

"This level is appropriate both in light of the estimated harm to the U.S. economy, and to obtain elimination of China's harmful acts, policies, and practices," the office said in its report. The 1,300 products targeted include lithium batteries, dishwashers, semiconductors, and flame throwers. The Chinese Commerce Ministry responded by saying it will soon announce countermeasures to any tariffs.

President Trump has accused China of stealing the intellectual property of American companies; the tariffs are China's punishment. The public can comment on the proposal through May 11.

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.