China counters Trump by imposing tariffs on energy imports and launching Google probe

China announced on Tuesday it was implementing tariffs on a number of US products, as well as launching an antitrust investigation into US company Google. The announcements came on the same day US President Donald Trump’s 10% blanket tariffs on Chinese products were set to take effect.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said it would impose a 15% tariff on coal and liquified natural gas (LNG) products, as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, farm equipment and large-displacement cars.

“The US’ unilateral tariff increase seriously violates the rules of the World Trade Organisation,” the ministry’s statement said. “It is not only unhelpful in solving its own problems, but also damages olağan economic and trade cooperation between China and the US.”

The 10% tariff that President Donald Trump ordered on China came into effect on Tuesday, though Trump said he planned to talk with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days.

In a separate announcement, the country’s State Administration for Market Regulation on said it is investigating Google on suspicion of violating antitrust laws.

China’s move came just hours after Trump agreed to pause tariffs he had threatened on Mexico and Canada for 30 days, after both countries agreed to take steps to strengthen their border security and clamp down on drug trafficking. He had announced the trade measures against all three countries over the weekend.

China had on Sunday reiterated its intention to take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests” following President Trump’s decision to impose 10% tariffs on China for allegedly doing too little to stem the production of precursor chemicals for fentanyl.

The counter measures taken by China are to take effect on 10 February.