China to hike tariffs on $60 billion of US goods
May 13, 2019
China said on Monday that it would increase tariffs of up to 25% on $60 billion (€53 billion) worth of US goods, starting on June 1.
The "adaptation" was a "response to US unilateralism and trade protectionism," the State Council's Customs Tariffs Commission said.
Read more: Trump's China tariffs are about more than just trade
US President Donald Trump last week increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25% and ordered US trade officials to start looking into imposing tariffs on another $300 billion worth of Chinese goods.
Talks between the United States and China on a deal to end their trade dispute ended on Friday without a breakthrough.
China had collected duties of 5% to 25% on nearly 2,500 goods before the latest hike. The Tariffs Commission did not specify which goods would be targeted by the higher rates.
Read more: Sieren's China: Trump feels threatened by China's rise
An hour before the Tariff Council's announcement, Trump wrote on Twitter that "China should not retaliate" against the latest US moves. "Will only get worse!" he added.
In Beijing, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said the country would "never surrender to external pressure."
Investors fear further escalation in the dispute between the world's two largest economies could undermine global growth.
amp/msh (Reuters, dpa, AFP)
Every evening, DW sends out a selection of the day's news and features. Sign up here.