BEIJING—The Chinese Ministry of Finance said it will levy tariffs on some $60 billion worth of U.S. goods beginning June 1.
The Chinese action, detailed May 13, is a retaliation for the Trump administration's May 10 action of raising tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on some $200 billion worth of goods, including tires, rubber chemicals, synthetic and natural rubbers and rubber auto and industrial parts.
In a statement, the Ministry of Finance said the tariffs were in reaction to "U.S. unilateralism and trade protectionism." The U.S. goods targeted include beef, fruits, vegetables, live plants and dyed flowers, and the tariffs will range from 5 percent to 25 percent.
China had warned that it would react to the higher U.S. tariffs.
"The escalation of trade friction is not in the interest of the people of the two countries and the people of the world," the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement May 9.
"If the U.S. tariff measures are implemented, China will have to take necessary countermeasures," the Commerce Ministry said.
The Trump administration originally imposed 10 percent tariffs in September 2018. President Trump said then that he would raise those tariffs to 25 percent on Jan. 1. He later postponed the increase until March 1, and finally said he would withhold it pending the outcome of U.S.-China trade talks.