Trump Steps Up Trade War With New China Tariffs

US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States will raise tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese goods – a blunt warning to Beijing just days before what is being billed as a last-ditch round of talks to reach a deal or resume their trade war.

To press China even more to accept US demands, Trump also threatened again to slap tariffs on all Chinese imports to the US – worth US$539.5 billion last year.

The next round of talks with a major Beijing delegation is scheduled to start on Wednesday in Washington. Trump said he is raising some tariffs because the trade talks are going "too slowly."

"For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods," Trump tweeted. "The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday."

The two sides have imposed tariffs on US$360 billion in two-way trade since last year. But Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in December to refrain from further escalation.

As recently as last week, the US had depicted the trade talks as going well.

"The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" Trump complained. (AFP)

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