China Announces Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Coal, Natural Gas After Trump’s Measures Take Effect

Moments after President Donald Trump’s 10 percent tariffs on China took effect, Beijing retaliated by announcing a 15 percent tax on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas and a 10 percent tax on crude oil, farm equipment, and some vehicles.

The tariffs on U.S. exports will take effect on February 10. Trump imposed the across-the-board tariffs on Chinese goods to punish Xi Jinping for not helping to stop the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

“China hopefully is going to stop sending us fentanyl, and if they’re not, the tariffs are going to go substantially higher,” Trump said on Monday.

The Trump administration initially announced 25 percent tariffs on Mexico and Canada to ensure they help curb illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling but the measures were ultimately paused on Monday for 30 days after those two nations each agreed to send troops to secure the northern and southern borders.