China imposes tariffs on goods from the USA

China has introduced tariffs on goods since April 2 - a total of 128 products in 7 categories - in response to US duties on steel and aluminum. Eight of them cover two-thirds of the group's cost and will be covered by higher tariffs.

China has announced the suspension of the WTO tariff agreement for 120 products, which will now be subject to 15% tariffs. This group includes, among others, seamless pipes, fresh and dried fruits, nut products, wine, ethanol and American ginseng. According to Chinese statistics, imports of these goods to China last year reached US $ 977 million.

The second group of goods, including secondary aluminum, pork and products from it, will be subject to customs duties at a rate of 25 percent. These goods were imported last year for $ 1.992 billion.

It is a response to tariffs on steel products and aluminum imported into the United States. China's Department of Commerce says trade restrictions based on the principle of "national security" have repeatedly disrupted normal US trade with other countries, which many WTO members have protested against.

China is responsible for 3 percent of US steel imports. However, US sanctions have begun to fuel the commercial war. President Donald Trump announced the next steps, this time involving not only subsequent imports but also limited investment activities by Chinese companies in the United States. These measures should punish Beijing for forcing US companies operating in China to form joint ventures with local partners and transfer their technology to them. To enter such companies, they are obliged to working in this country, foreign companies offering cloud services (cloud computing) and automakers, their shares are limited to 50 percent.

The US trade deficit with China has been growing since joining the WTO at the beginning of the century. From less than $ 100 billion in 2000, according to Americans, it increased by more than $ 375.23 billion last year. The Chinese estimate it at $ 275.8 billion.