U.S. proposes tariffs on $50B in Chinese imports

The Trump administration is recommending 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports to protest Beijing’s alleged theft of American technology.

The Chinese embassy in Washington says it “strongly condemns” the Trump administration’s planned tariffs. In a statement, the embassy says the proposal “serves neither China’s interest, not the U.S. interest, even less the interest of the global economy.”

And it hinted that Beijing would retaliate with trade sanctions of its own: “As the Chinese saying goes, it is only polite to reciprocate.”

The embassy said China would seek relief from the World Trade Organization and “take corresponding measures of equal scale and strength against U.S. products in accordance with Chinese law.”

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6:45 p.m.

The U.S.-China Business Council has long complained that China’s policies have discriminated against U.S. technology companies. But the council argues that the latest proposed tariffs against Beijing are not the answer.

“Unilateral tariffs may do more harm than good and do little to address the problems in China (intellectual property) and tech transfer policies,” said John Frisbie, president of the council.

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5:54 p.m.

The Trump administration is recommending 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese imports to protest Beijing’s alleged theft of American technology.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a list targeting 1,300 Chinese products, including industrial robots and telecommunications equipment. But the proposed tariffs wouldn’t take effect before a public comment period ends May 11.

The move is the latest in a series of aggressive actions the administration has taken to combat what it calls unfair trade practices by China and other countries. American businesses worry that the administration’s moves will draw painful retaliatory sanctions.