The US could hit China with up to $60 billion of new tariffs as early as Friday, sources told Reuters, although their implementation may be delayed during a public comment period.
The tariffs, likely targeting information technology, consumer electronics, and other industries built around US intellectual property, have been authorised under the 1974 US trade act in order to bring down the country’s $375 billion a year trade deficit with China.
The public comment period would allow companies and lobbyists to voice opposition, as well as China to prepare any possible resolutions to the trade imbalance.
The sources added that the list of products poised to receive the tariffs could be up to 100 long, covering low-technology goods such as clothing and footwear.