(UTV|COLOMBO) – The US has said it plans to impose 25% tariffs on $50bn worth of Chinese imports “shortly” after mid-June, the BBC reported.
Critics had accused the administration of going soft on China after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said tariffs were on hold while the two sides continue trade talks.
But the White House said on Tuesday that a final list of imports slated for tariffs will be published by 15 June.
China said it was both “surprised and unsurprised” by the move.
In a statement, China’s Commerce Ministry called on the US to act in the spirit of earlier joint comments.
It said: “This is obviously contrary to the consensus reached between the two sides in Washington not long ago.”
The tougher line from the White House comes ahead of another round of negotiations.
US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is scheduled to travel to China this week.
The trip follows talks in Washington in May. Those ended with a pledge by the Chinese to buy more US agricultural and energy products, but few firm commitments.
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