President Donald Trump's administration announced today that 25 per cent tariffs would be in place on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods starting August 23. Washington had already imposed tariffs on USD 34 billion on July 6 but held off on a final USD 16 billion in goods as a result of concerns from US companies.

The office of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said today there were 279 new goods to be targeted in the dispute over China's policies, which American officials say promote the theft of American technology.