BEIJING says it would impose a 34 per cent tariff on all US imports, part of a retaliatory package against President Donald Trump's "reciprocal tariffs," as the trade war between the world's two largest economies heightens, reports Caixin.

The new levy will take effect this week, according to a statement by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. It matches the 34 per cent hike on Chinese goods announced by the US.

The latest tariff, was set to begin April 9, is in addition to the 20 per cent already implemented by Trump since his return to office in January.

The move by the US "violates international trade rules, seriously undermines China's legitimate rights and interests, and constitutes a typical act of unilateral bullying," the commission's statement said.

The US was China's fourth-largest source of imports in 2024, trailing the European Union, Taiwan and South Korea, according to Chinese customs data. Imports from the US totalled US$163.6 billion, with top categories including grains, oilseeds, minerals, chemical products, machinery, and medical and optical instruments.