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US stock markets hit as China retaliates to Trump tariffs US stock market slides as China retaliates to Trump tariffs
(about 2 hours later)
The opening salvos of a tariff spat between the US and China that some observers fear could escalate into a full-blown trade war sent jitters through Wall Street on Monday.The opening salvos of a tariff spat between the US and China that some observers fear could escalate into a full-blown trade war sent jitters through Wall Street on Monday.
Stock markets fell after Beijing hit back against Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium with a swath of retaliatory duties on 128 imported American products, including pork and apples.Stock markets fell after Beijing hit back against Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium with a swath of retaliatory duties on 128 imported American products, including pork and apples.
The Dow Jones tumbled by more than 500 points, or 2.2%, to 23,593 during morning trading, while the wider S&P 500 index also lost more than 2% at one stage. The Dow Jones tumbled by more than 730 points, or 3%, to 23,368 as a selloff swept the New York market. The wider S&P 500 index was also down 3% in afternoon trading, and the tech-focused Nasdaq shed 3.5%.
Food exporters were among the worst hit, with meat producer Tyson Foods down 4.6% to $69.82 while Hormel and Pilgrim’s Pride took smaller losses. Food exporters were among the worst hit, with meat producer Tyson Foods down 4.6% to $69.82 while Hormel - which makes Spam - and Pilgrim’s Pride took smaller losses.
China announced on Sunday that it would implement retaliatory tariffs of up to 25% on $3bn in food imports from the US, raising uncertainty over the possibility of a trade war between the two countries.China announced on Sunday that it would implement retaliatory tariffs of up to 25% on $3bn in food imports from the US, raising uncertainty over the possibility of a trade war between the two countries.
China’s ministry of commerce said it would be “suspending tariff concessions” on 128 US food products. Fresh and dried fruits, almonds, pistachios and wine would be subject to an additional 15% tariff. Eight other items, including frozen pork, would be subject to a 25% tariff. The tariffs would begin on Monday, the ministry said.China’s ministry of commerce said it would be “suspending tariff concessions” on 128 US food products. Fresh and dried fruits, almonds, pistachios and wine would be subject to an additional 15% tariff. Eight other items, including frozen pork, would be subject to a 25% tariff. The tariffs would begin on Monday, the ministry said.
The tariffs were in line with a list of potential duties on US products released two weeks ago in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium. The US president has also promised to levy 25% on $60bn in annual imports from China.The tariffs were in line with a list of potential duties on US products released two weeks ago in response to Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminium. The US president has also promised to levy 25% on $60bn in annual imports from China.
The Beijing ministry said “a large number of people expressed their support” for the measures in order to “safeguard the interests of the country and its industry”.The Beijing ministry said “a large number of people expressed their support” for the measures in order to “safeguard the interests of the country and its industry”.
It added that China and the US should resolve issues through negotiation and dialogue. “As the world’s two largest economies, cooperation is the only correct option.”It added that China and the US should resolve issues through negotiation and dialogue. “As the world’s two largest economies, cooperation is the only correct option.”
Beijing had announced fresh tariffs on imports of 128 US products, a market worth almost $3bn per year.Beijing had announced fresh tariffs on imports of 128 US products, a market worth almost $3bn per year.
The measures include a 25% tariff on a range of pork products, covering fresh and frozen imports of items such as forelegs, chops and pig heads. The measures include a 25% tariff on a range of pork products, covering fresh and frozen imports of items such as forelegs and chops.
A 25% tariff will also be imposed on aluminium scrap.A 25% tariff will also be imposed on aluminium scrap.
A lower tariff, of 15%, is being imposed on a wide range of other products:A lower tariff, of 15%, is being imposed on a wide range of other products:
Fresh fruit, including oranges, lemons, grapes, apples and watermelonFresh fruit, including oranges, lemons, grapes, apples and watermelon
Dried fruit and nut products, including cashews, Brazilian nuts, almonds, dates and coconutDried fruit and nut products, including cashews, Brazilian nuts, almonds, dates and coconut
Wine, both still and sparkingWine, both still and sparking
Modified ethanol,Modified ethanol,
Ginseng, including American ginsengGinseng, including American ginseng
Stainless steel pipes, including boiler tubes, and oil and gas drilling pipesStainless steel pipes, including boiler tubes, and oil and gas drilling pipes
An editorial in China’s Global Times newspaper warned that America could “say goodbye to the delusion” that China wouldn’t retaliate against Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel.An editorial in China’s Global Times newspaper warned that America could “say goodbye to the delusion” that China wouldn’t retaliate against Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel.
“Even though China and the US have not publicly said they are in a trade war, the sparks of such a war have already started to fly,” the newspaper said.“Even though China and the US have not publicly said they are in a trade war, the sparks of such a war have already started to fly,” the newspaper said.
But analysts say the fact that China’s tariffs do not cover some of the US’s biggest exports to China, such as soybeans, is a sign Beijing wants to avoid an all-out trade war.But analysts say the fact that China’s tariffs do not cover some of the US’s biggest exports to China, such as soybeans, is a sign Beijing wants to avoid an all-out trade war.
“The amount subject to tariff is not big, which shows China is willing to ease the intensity of the trade conflict that was started by the US. Trump gave us a heavy shot, and China is giving a light shot back,” said Shi Yinhong, director of the US research centre at Renmin University in Beijing.“The amount subject to tariff is not big, which shows China is willing to ease the intensity of the trade conflict that was started by the US. Trump gave us a heavy shot, and China is giving a light shot back,” said Shi Yinhong, director of the US research centre at Renmin University in Beijing.
China’s economic czar Liu He spoke with US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin last week over the phone. Mnuchin is reportedly considering a trip to China to continue talks.China’s economic czar Liu He spoke with US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin last week over the phone. Mnuchin is reportedly considering a trip to China to continue talks.
Still, some in China are calling for stronger retaliatory measures on soybeans and other agricultural products as well as big-ticket US goods such as Boeing aircraft. China, the third largest consumer of US pork, bought $1.1bn in pork products from the US last year, according to the US Meat Export Federation.Still, some in China are calling for stronger retaliatory measures on soybeans and other agricultural products as well as big-ticket US goods such as Boeing aircraft. China, the third largest consumer of US pork, bought $1.1bn in pork products from the US last year, according to the US Meat Export Federation.
The state-owned Xinhua news on Monday called Trump’s tariffs a “self-defeating gamble.” The editorial, published in English, said, “The threatening tariffs, if realized, may hurt China. Yet the damage will be done at the expense of enormous American interests.”The state-owned Xinhua news on Monday called Trump’s tariffs a “self-defeating gamble.” The editorial, published in English, said, “The threatening tariffs, if realized, may hurt China. Yet the damage will be done at the expense of enormous American interests.”
US senator Elizabeth Warren said on a three-day visit to China that US policy towards China up to now has been “misdirected” and she was not afraid of tariffs.US senator Elizabeth Warren said on a three-day visit to China that US policy towards China up to now has been “misdirected” and she was not afraid of tariffs.
“We told ourselves a happy face story that never fit with the facts. Now US policymakers are starting to look more aggressively at pushing China to open up the markets without demanding a hostage price of access to US technology,” she said on Sunday in Beijing.“We told ourselves a happy face story that never fit with the facts. Now US policymakers are starting to look more aggressively at pushing China to open up the markets without demanding a hostage price of access to US technology,” she said on Sunday in Beijing.
With US-China ties at a low, analysts say the countries are likely to keep struggling over trade.With US-China ties at a low, analysts say the countries are likely to keep struggling over trade.
“Even if this conflict can be eased, it won’t last long. There will be rounds after rounds of trade wars in the future,” said Shi.“Even if this conflict can be eased, it won’t last long. There will be rounds after rounds of trade wars in the future,” said Shi.
Additional reporting by Wang XueyingAdditional reporting by Wang Xueying
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