China strikes back at US with tariffs in trade war retaliation

Beijing said it would probe US tech giant Google over violations of anti-monopoly laws after Washington slapped 10% levies on Chinese goods

- Agencies

BEIJING: China said on Tuesday it would impose tariffs on imports of US energy, vehicles and equipment, firing a return salvo in an escalating trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced sweeping measures against major trade partners Canada and Mexico, with goods from China hit with an additional 10% tariff on top of the duties they already endure.

Minutes after they came into effect, Beijing unveiled levies of 15% on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas from the United States, while crude oil, agricultural machinery, big-engined vehicles, and pickup trucks face 10% duties.

China is a major market for US energy exports and according to Beijing customs data, imports of oil, coal and LNG totalled more than $7 billion last year.