China to Impose Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. LNG, Coal, and Other Imports

Beijing has announced plans to impose new tariffs on select imports from the United States in response to recently introduced U.S. trade measures.

China’s Ministry of Finance stated on Tuesday that a 15% tariff will be applied to liquefied natural gas (LNG) products and coal imported from the U.S., while a 10% tariff will be imposed on American oil and agricultural machinery. The new duties are set to take effect on February 10.

Additionally, Chinese regulators have launched an antitrust investigation into U.S. technology giant Google, marking another escalation in trade tensions between the two economic powers.

These measures come as Washington prepares to implement a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. The U.S. tariffs, ordered by President Donald Trump on Saturday, were scheduled to take effect shortly after midnight on Tuesday, Washington time (0500 GMT).

While the U.S. reached last-minute agreements to delay similar tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico by one month, no such arrangement has been made with China. However, Trump stated on Monday that discussions with Chinese officials would take place within 24 hours.

Trump, who won re-election in November, had campaigned on a promise to impose higher tariffs on foreign goods. During his first term from 2017 to 2021, he implemented several trade measures targeting major economies, including China.