Trump threatens to double current tariffs on Chinese imports

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday tried to increase pressure on China to change its trade practices by directing administration officials to consider more than doubling the size of proposed tariffs he has already threatened to slap on $200 billion in imports.

But the administration stopped short of actually making such a move, raising questions about whether it was a negotiating ploy in its widening trade war with China.

A week after moving to ease trade tensions with the European Union, the administration said it would consider imposing a 25 percent tariff on certain Chinese imports, up from the 10 percent Trump proposed last month.

Senior administration officials on Wednesday expressed frustration that China has responded to U.S. tariffs with retaliation rather than capitulation.

“We have been very clear about the specific changes China should undertake,” said U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. “Instead of changing its harmful behavior, China has illegally retaliated against U. S. workers, farmers, ranchers and businesses.”

The $200 billion in U.S. tariffs — which have not yet been imposed — would be on top of 25 percent tariffs that the Trump administration already has assessed on $50 billion of Chinese goods. As part of that first round, tariffs on $34 billion of goods, mostly machinery and industrial parts, took effect July 6.

China responded that day by imposing tariffs on the same amount of U.S. goods, largely targeting soybeans and other agricultural products. The Asian economic giant has shown no signs of backing down from Trump’s threats, and is said to be considering other types of retaliation, such as tougher inspections on American imports and delaying licensing and approv- als for mergers.

The review period for U.S. tariffs on the next $16 billion of Chinese imports ended Tuesday, but senior administration officials said a decision had not been made yet on when or whether to impose them.

The process for enacting tariffs on the $200 billion in goods, which includes fish sticks, baseball gloves, handbags, spark plugs, yarn and hundreds of other products, is just getting started. with hearings set for later this month.

Trump’s order to consider upping the tariffs to 25 percent will extend that process into September so businesses and consumers can comment on the effect of the new level, senior administration officials said.

The administration has said the tariffs would remain in effect until China opens its markets to more competition and stops what the U.S. says are unfair practices.