The White House announced Tuesday the specific list of $200 billion in products from China that it plans to hit with 10 percent tariffs, on top of the previous 25 percent tariffs placed on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports.
The list of new items still has to go through administrative procedures, including a public comment period next month, and won’t be finalized until late August at the earliest.
The list of products covered includes meat and agricultural products such as fish and other seafood, fruits, nuts, and tobacco, as well as leather and textiles, petroleum oil, various metals, industrial tools and mechanical components.
Administration officials defended the escalation of the trade conflict, arguing that they had no choice but to move forward with the tariffs. “They were the ones that started everything by hurting us, and we were simply trying to even out the harm that was caused,” said a senior administration official.
[China: US is ‘firing at the whole world’ with tariffs]
The tariffs are being justified by the administration under Section 301 of Trade Act on national security grounds, which argues that for the protection of domestic industries.
White House officials stressed that they were still willing to re-engage in talks with China.
“For over a year, the Trump Administration has patiently urged China to stop its unfair practices, open its market, and engage in true market competition. We have been very clear and detailed regarding the specific changes China should undertake. Unfortunately, China has not changed its behavior,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
[Opinion: A trade war threatens the US economy]
