Trump imposes new tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports in the middle of trade talks

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He at U.S. trade talks
(Image credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

President Trump's threatened 25 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese exports took effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, halfway through high-level trade talks in Washington, D.C., led by Chinese Vice Premier Liu He. The tariffs, up from 10 percent, will be in force for shipments leaving China on Friday, so there is still a little time to work out a last-minute agreement. Both sides agreed the trade talks will continue Friday, as planned.

China's Commerce Ministry said it "deeply regrets" Trump's decision and Beijing "will have to take necessary countermeasures." A ministry spokesman added, "We hope that the U.S. and China will meet each other halfway and make joint efforts to solve the existing problems through cooperation and consultation." U.S. officials said the trade talks were progressing smoothly until China sent over significant edits over the weekend, prompting Trump's tariff threat.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.