China announced sweeping trade countermeasures Tuesday in response to recent U.S. tariffs, implementing new import duties on American agricultural products and restricting activities of 10 U.S. firms. The measures take effect as global markets watch escalating economic tensions between the two powers.
Tariff Measures Target Key Exports
The Customs Tariff Commission revealed a two-tiered tariff structure: 15% extra duties on U.S. chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, while sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, and select food products face 10% increases. This follows a 10% U.S. tariff on Chinese goods imposed March 4.
Beijing’s ‘Unreliable Entity’ Action
Concurrently, China’s Ministry of Commerce added 10 U.S. companies to its unreliable entity list, including TCOM, Limited Partnership. Affected firms now face import/export bans and investment restrictions in China. Authorities stated this safeguards national sovereignty and security interests under domestic laws.
Multilateral Trade Concerns
Beijing criticized Washington’s unilateral approach as undermining global trade systems and harming U.S. businesses and consumers. Analysts suggest these measures could complicate efforts to stabilize cross-Pacific commercial relations while impacting global supply chains.
