US hikes tariffs on Chinese goods, China says to strike back

WASHINGTON/BEIJING: US President Donald Trump’s tariff increase to 25 per cent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods took effect on Friday, and Beijing said it would strike back, ratcheting up tensions as the two sides pursue last-ditch talks to try salvaging a trade deal.

China’s Commerce Ministry said it “deeply regrets” the US decision, adding that it would take necessary countermeasures, without elaborating.

The hike comes in the midst of two days of talks between top US and Chinese negotiators to try to rescue a faltering deal aimed at ending a 10-month trade war between the world’s two largest economies.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin talked for 90 minutes on Thursday and were expected to resume talks on Friday.