US delays increased tariffs on Chinese goods

Washington — The US is delaying the scheduled 1 March imposition of 25% tariffs on some $200 billion (€176 billion) worth of Chinese goods, pending the results of trade talks with China.

The goods, which have been under a 10% tariff order since September 2018, include tires, rubber chemicals, manufactured rubber goods and synthetic and natural rubber.

President Donald Trump ordered the tariffs last year using his authority under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The section allows the US president to retaliate against any nation that violates international trade agreements or takes actions that restrict or burden commerce.

Trump announced his decision to delay the higher tariffs in a 23-Feb tweet.

He said the US had "made substantial progress" on many important issues in its trade talks with China, including intellectual property rights, technology transfer, agriculture and currency exchange.

The president did not set a new date for imposing the higher tariffs should the talks not yield results.