US and China kick off new tariffs on imports amid talks aimed at stopping trade war

The US will collect extra duties on items such as motorcycles and railway cars, while Beijing will collect on products such as coal, buses and medical equipment

The US and China have imposed new tariffs on each other’s products, as both economies engage in talks aimed at calming trade tensions, with Beijing vowing to file an official complaint with the World Trade Organisation.

The two countries slapped 25 per cent levies on $16bn (£12bn) worth of each other’s goods, the latest in a tit-for-tat battle over imports, with tariffs now imposed on a combined total of $100bn worth of products since July.

The latest round of tariffs will see the US collecting extra duties on items such as motorcycles and railway cars, while Beijing will collect on products such as coal, buses and medical equipment.

China’s Ministry of Commerce said the country “resolutely opposes this, and will continue to take necessary countermeasures”.

“At the same time, to safeguard free trade and multilateral systems, and defend its own lawful interests, China will file suit regarding these tariff measures under the WTO dispute resolution mechanism,” the government added.

The ramping up of tension comes as US and Chinese mid-level officials meet for talks on trade in Washington.

Hopes for resolution between the two countries were dimmed earlier this week, when President Trump said he did not “anticipate much” ahead of the negotiations. Mr Trump has previously said that tariffs are necessary to compel China to change what he describes as unfair practices around US intellectual property and technology.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday US companies told officials that imposing fresh tariffs would cripple their businesses and mean price increases for customers.

A hearing by the US Trade Representative, initially scheduled for just three days, was expanded to accommodate the leaders of nearly 400 companies and trade groups who will testify in hopes that they can influence the final list of products subject to tariffs.