China Accuses U.S. of Bullying as New Tariffs Take Effect

China’s State Council accuses the U.S. of brazen protectionism and false claims in a sharply worded retort to new tariffs that went into effect today on $200 billion worth of imported Chinese goods.

The move prompted China last week to retaliate with levies covering $60 billion of U.S. imports and cancel scheduled trade talks with the U.S.

President Donald Trump is widely expected to announce $257 billion in additional tariffs unless China agrees to negotiate. Doing so would impose taxes on almost all imported Chinese goods.

The State Council’s white paper rejects the complaints of President Donald Trump that triggered the escalating trade war between the two countries after 40 years of efforts to resolve trade issues more diplomatically.

The White House contends that China has stolen technology by forcing U.S. companies to give up intellectual property in return for the right to do business in China. The State Council argues that American companies have volunteered to do so “based on commercial interests.”

China also claims that it has set up a “complete and high-standard intellectual property legal system” in the past few years to protect company secrets.