China strikes back imposing tariffs on US pork

According to the statement from the Ministry of Finance, starting from April 2, 2018, China suspended tariff concessions on 128 items of US products including pork and fruits.

The 15% tariff will be held on 120 items of products imported from the United States including fruits and related products, and a tariff of 25% on eight items of imports including pork and related products from the country, China’s Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council has decided to impose according to a statement posted on website of the Ministry of Finance.

The statement said it was a countermeasure in response to a previous US move to slap tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Despite worldwide objections, the US administration decided to impose a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum, with tariffs on imports from countries including China.

Although it is widely considered a violation of trade rules based on World Trade Organisation (WTO), the US measure went into effect on March 23, which has severely undermined China’s interests, according to the statement.

According to China’s Ministry of finance, China advocates and supports a multilateral trade system, noting that to suspend tariff concession on US imports is a just move to safeguard China’s interests using WTO rules.