US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a statement “Earlier today, at the direction of the President, the United States increased the level of tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on approximately $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. The President also ordered us to begin the process of raising tariffs on essentially all remaining imports from China, which are valued at approximately $300 billion.”
“The process for public notice and comment will be published shortly in the Federal Register. The details will be on the USTR website on Monday as we begin the process prior to a final decision on these tariffs,” he said.
On Friday Trump raised tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, prompting a swift rebuke from Beijing as trade talks held in Washington failed to produce a breakthrough.
He said he was in "absolutely no rush" to finalize the trade agreement with China and that bilateral talks, due to resume in Washington later on Friday, were continuing in a very "congenial" way.
Tariffs on the targeted exports increased to 25 per cent at 12.01 a.m. on Friday.
In response, China expressed "deep regret over the development" and said it would respond in kind. The Ministry did not give specifics on how it would respond.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry in a statement said that Beijing will have to take necessary countermeasures after the latest tariff hike.
"China deeply regrets that it will have to take necessary countermeasures. The 11th round of China-US high-level economic and trade consultations is underway.
"It is hoped that the US and the Chinese side will work together and work together to resolve existing problems through cooperation and consultation," the statement added.