*By Alisha Haridasani* Chinese officials accused the U.S. of plunging the countries with the world's two largest economies into a trade war Friday and said they'd retaliate immediately after President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Chinese exports. The U.S. will levy a 25 percent tax on $50 billion of Chinese exports for “theft of intellectual property and technology and its other unfair trade practices,” the president said in a statement. “The United States will pursue additional tariffs if China engages in retaliatory measures.” China, however, wasn’t deterred by the threat, promising to hit back in equal measure. Major U.S. indices opened down on the news, with the Dow Jones tumbling nearly 300 points in early trade. Trump decided to impose tariffs, which were initially announced in March, despite months of negotiations between the two countries. The White House has often flip flopped from tough rhetoric to declaring the trade spat [“on hold”](https://cheddar.com/videos/markets-rally-as-u-s-china-trade-war-cools). The administration even offered to save Chinese electronics company ZTE from the brink of collapse. This round of tariffs comes on the heels of Trump’s decision to tax steel and aluminum imports coming in from the European Union, Canada, and Mexico. At the G7 summit in Canada last week, the president further antagonized U.S. allies by refusing to sign a joint statement on shared economic goals.

Share:
More In Business
Stretching Your Dollar: Expert Holiday Design Tips on a Budget
The holiday season is underway and it's a good time to put your Christmas tree up if you haven't already. But making your home festive can be costly. Cameron Forbes, founder of Forbes Functions, joined Cheddar News to provide tips for decorating on a dime.
Regulators Investigating Chevy Volts
Federal regulators are investigating Chevrolet Volt hybrid cars after some drivers reported issues including sudden power loss and failure to restart.
Celebrating the Holidays With Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop has been one of the most recognizable and beloved toy brands in the world since opening in 1997. Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, spoke with Cheddar News about its plans for the holiday season this year as well as the company's first animated feature film.
Stocks Flat Ahead of Fed Chair Comments
Stocks were generally flat after the opening bell on Friday ahead of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's comments in a speech at Spelman College later. Investors are growing optimistic that the central bank is done raising rates and may start cutting next year.
Load More