China to Impose Tariffs on US Coal, Oil, and Vehicles in Response to US Levies

Beijing, China – China announced on Tuesday that it will impose 15% tariffs on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, escalating tensions in the ongoing trade dispute between the two economic giants.

In addition, Beijing’s finance ministry revealed that a 10% tariff will be applied to US imports of crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks, and vehicles such as sports cars with large-displacement engines.

A Response to US Tariff Hikes
These measures come as a direct response to the unilateral tariff increases announced by the United States over the weekend. Beijing criticized Washington’s move, stating that it “seriously violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules,” disrupts normal economic relations, and fails to address its internal issues.

“The US tariff hike does nothing to resolve its own problems and disrupts normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the United States,” the finance ministry said in a statement.

Implementation Timeline
The new Chinese tariffs are set to take effect next Monday, intensifying an already volatile trade environment between the two countries.

Background of the Trade Conflict
The latest escalation follows the US announcement on Saturday of sweeping trade measures, including an additional 10% tariff on a wide range of Chinese goods, on top of existing duties. The move, initiated by President Donald Trump, was framed as part of an effort to punish countries for failing to stem the flow of illegal migrants and fentanyl into the US.

Global Impact
The tit-for-tat tariffs between the world’s two largest economies are expected to have far-reaching effects on global trade, potentially impacting energy markets, agricultural supply chains, and the automotive industry.