Which U.S. ag products could China soon hit with a 25% tariff?
China has included an extensive selection of U.S. fruit, vegetable and tree nut products on its draft list of over 500 exports on which it may soon impose a 25% tariff - including many which the U.S. doesn't export to China.
The list was published on Saturday (June 16) by China's State Council Customs Tariff Commission, in retaliation for the U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday announcing tariffs on Chinese products.
Both countries have announced 25% tariffs on US$50 billion of goods, although - at least initially - the duties will only apply to US$34 billion of goods, effective July 6.
The tit-for-tat trade war could escalate even further, with Trump on Monday threatening a 10% tariff on US$200 billion of Chinese goods in response to Beijing's retaliation.
Included in China's recently published draft list of 545 products that could be hit with the 25% duty next month are cherries, apples, walnuts, oranges and grapes. (A full list can be found below).
Almonds, pistachios and pecans - the U.S.'s three leading tree nut exports to China - have not been included specifically on the draft list, although there is a product code that translates as 'other types of fresh and died nuts'.
These duties will may come in addition to the 15% rate that was applied to agricultural products at the beginning of April in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, although there has been no clarification by the Chinese Government on this matter.
The full list of products [in Chinese] includes a large range of both fresh and dried fruits, vegetables and tree nuts:
Potatoes, tomatoes, green onions, garlic, onions, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, asparagus, eggplants, celery, mushrooms, spinach, chiles, peppers, olives, pumpkins, squash, bamboo shoots, beans, sweet potatoes, yams, coconuts, walnuts, chestnuts, betenuts, bananas, pineapples, avocados, pomegranates, mangoes, mangosteens, oranges, citrus, clementines, grapefruit, lemons, grapes, watermelons, honeydew, melons, papayas, apples, pears, sour cherries, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, plums, blackberries, raspberries, kiwifruit, durians, persimmons, lychees, longans, rambutans, starfruits, dragon fruit, and wax apples.
Related articles: Chinese tariffs to stunt market development for premium U.S. apple varieties
Chinese tariffs to put U.S. cherry export growth under strain