Donald Trump threatens new tariffs on £150bn of Chinese trade
Move marks a major escalation in the trade dispute between the US and China

The prospect of a tit-for-tat trade war increased yesterday as Donald Trump threatened to introduce fresh tariffs of 10% on Chinese imports worth $200 bn (£150bn).
The threat followed the introduction of Chinese tariffs, which in turn followed a US levy of 25% on “659 US products worth $50 billion – including agricultural products, cars and marine products”, the BBC reports.
Trump said the measures were necessary “to encourage China to change its unfair practices, open its market to United States goods, and accept a more balanced trade relationship with the United States”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
China has reacted angrily to the new threat, accusing the US of using “extreme pressure and extortionist behaviour”. It said it would “strike back hard”.
The rhetoric on both sides reignited fears of a full-blown trade war and sent shockwaves through stock markets.
However, says CNN, China “faces challenges in retaliating directly” due to the trade imbalance between the two countries.
China exports around $505bn worth of goods to the US each year, while just $130bn worth of goods travel in the opposite direction.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Brian Wilson: the troubled genius who powered the Beach Boys
Feature The musical giant passed away at 82
-
'HBCUs have always had to think more strategically'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Media: Warner Bros. kicks cable to the curb
Feature Warner Bros. Discovery is splitting into two companies as the cable industry continues to decline
-
'Tariff stacking' is creating problems for businesses
The Explainer Imports from China are the most heavily affected
-
Mortgages: The future of Fannie and Freddie
Feature Donald Trump wants to privatize two major mortgage companies, which could make mortgages more expensive
-
Pocket change: The demise of the penny
Feature The penny is being phased out as the Treasury plans to halt production by 2026
-
Trump is trying to jump-start US manufacturing. Is it worth it?
Today's Big Question The jobs are good. The workers may not be there.
-
What is the dollar's future after Moody's downgrade?
Today's Big Question Trump trade wars and growing debt have investors looking elsewhere
-
The UK-US trade deal: what was agreed?
In Depth Keir Starmer's calm handling of Donald Trump paid off, but deal remains more of a 'damage limitation exercise' than 'an unbridled triumph'
-
Trump vs. China: another tariff U-turn?
Today's Big Question Washington and Beijing make huge tariff cuts, as both sides seek 'exit ramp' from escalating trade war
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices