Retaliatory tariffs described as ‘political theatre’ as Beijing thought to want to avoid escalating trade war

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Minutes after Donald Trump’s tariffs on China came into force on Tuesday, China’s government announced its own retaliatory tariffs.

The Chinese tariffs focus on a range of sectors – big tech, energy, cars, farming, and fashion – but with some specific targets. China’s finance ministry said it would impose levies of 15% for US coal and liquid natural gas and 10% for crude oil, farm equipment and large displacement vehicles and pickup trucks. Some high-profile US companies were also put under investigation or blacklisted.