In retaliation to Trump tariffs which come into effect on 4 March, China has levied 15% tariffs on imports of US chicken and corn, and 10% on soy and other farm products.
President Donald Trump has earlier pledged to double the levy on China to 20%, while also hitting Canada and Mexico with broad tariffs on 4 March. China is the world’s biggest importer of soybeans, which are typically crushed into cooking oil and animal feed, particularly for the country’s large pig herd.
Earlier this year, China retaliated to Trump’s initial tariffs with levies on a range of U.S. products including metals, liquefied natural gas, and agriculture machinery, but refrained from imposing duties on crops themselves.
China imposed hefty tariffs on a list of US farm products including soybeans during Trump’s first term as president in response to his levies, leading to sales of American soybeans to China plunging almost 80% over a 2-year period. The Asian nation has since moved to buy more from Brazil.
Still, the US remains a major source of grain for China including wheat and corn. On 28 February, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said the nation will “counter with all necessary measures to defend its legitimate rights and interests” in response to the incoming tariffs.
