Trump threatens additional 100pc tariff on China

US President Donald Trump has said he would impose an additional 100 percent tariff on imports from China from next month.

In a post on social media, Trump said the US would also put export controls on critical software.

In an earlier post on Friday, he hit back at Beijing’s move last week to tighten its rules for exports of rare earths, accusing China of “becoming very hostile” and trying to hold the world “captive”.

He threatened to pull out of a meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping.

He later said he had not cancelled it, but that he did not know “that we’re going to have it”.

China dominates production of rare earths and certain other key materials, which are key components in cars, smartphones and many other items.

The last time Beijing tightened export controls — after Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods early this year — there was an outcry from many US firms reliant on the materials.

Carmaker Ford even had to temporarily pause production.

In addition to tightening rules for rare earth exports, China has opened a monopoly investigation into the US tech firm Qualcomm that could stall its acquisition of another chipmaker.

Although Qualcomm is based in the US, a significant portion of its business is concentrated in China.

Beijing has also said it will charge new port fees to ships with ties to the US, including those owned or operated by US firms.  – BBC

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