US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 10 per cent tariff on Chinese imports to the US effective at 12.01am Tuesday, adding to the 10 per cent he levied a month ago, as he also proceeded with 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports.
Trump, a self-described master deal maker, has separate and commingling trade threats in the works over fentanyl, iron and steel and broad-based reciprocity whose various deadlines and categories have sparked widespread confusion.
With Tuesdayโs imposition of tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the US neighbours join China in the growing list of countries being hammered with sanctions by the unpredictable president.
โThe tariffs, theyโre all set. They go into effect tomorrow,โ he said on Monday, adding that thereโs โno room left for Mexico or Canadaโ to make a deal before midnight.
Chinaโs commerce ministry voiced opposition to the US tariff doubling on Tuesday, vowing countermeasures that it said were aimed at safeguarding its rights and interests.
Washington has justified its actions on the grounds that Beijing was not cooperating in fighting trafficking and that it supplies chemicals used in fentanyl production. China has denied wrongdoing.