(VOVWORLD) -Chinese tariffs on a range of US agricultural goods take effect Monday, potentially worsening a trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.
The tariffs, announced on March 4, target about 21 billion USD of agricultural imports from the US, in response to the extra 10% tariff imposed on China’s exports to the US.
Imports of US-grown chicken, wheat, corn and cotton will face an extra 15% tariff. Tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruit, vegetables and dairy products will be increased by 10%.
The move will make US products more expensive, and thus less competitive, in the Chinese market, which is likely to lead to more imports from other countries instead.
Chinese officials have expressed their confidence in dealing with the Sino-US trade tensions. At a press conference on the economy during the March 6 National People's Congress, Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo'an said "the Chinese central government has sufficient reserve tools and policy space to address potential internal and external uncertainties."