The Chinese government announced the tariffs last week, shortly after President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese products for the second time since he took office in January. The Chinese tariffs will include a levy of 15 percent on U.S. products like chicken, wheat and corn, as well as 10 percent on products like soybeans, pork, beef and fruit.

The tariffs add a new front to a trade war largely driven by Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China and threats of protectionist measures on other nations.

Beijing's tariffs on certain US agricultural goods in retaliation for President Donald Trump's latest hike on Chinese imports came into force Monday, as trade tensions mount between the world's two

President Trump said that Americans would be better off in the long run from his tariffs, which he said would prevent the country from being “ripped off.”

Donald Trump declared tariffs will be the “best thing” the US has ever done, despite refusing to rule out a recession. Speaking on board Air Force One on Sunday (9 March), the president said the tariffs he has imposed will make the US “rich again.