China raises tariffs on US goods to 84%

陈小将

China said on Wednesday that it will raise the tariff rate on all imported goods from the United States to 84 percent, and add 12 more US entities to the export control list.

Beijing's latest countermeasures followed the US President Donald Trump's decision to increase the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese goods to 84 percent, up from 34 percent.

The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, the country's Cabinet, said in a statement on Wednesday that the US' decision to escalate tariffs on Chinese goods is "a mistake upon a mistake".

The US tariff hike, which severely infringes on China's legitimate rights and interests, damages the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilizes the global economic order, is "a clear example of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion", the commission said.

On the same day, the Ministry of Commerce announced that it will place 12 US entities such as American Photonics and BRINC Drones on its export control management list, effectively prohibiting the export of dual-use items to these companies.

These US entities engage in activities that may endanger China's national security and interests, the ministry said, stressing that no exporter may violate the aforementioned rules.