The rapid-fire shots of tariffs and import curbs hearken back to Trump’s first term in office, when the U.S. and China engaged in a trade war that spanned most of Trump’s first four years in office and was continued to a certain extent under his successor, Joe Biden.

China's tit-for-tat import taxes on some American goods are coming into effect on Monday, as the trade war between the world's two biggest economies escalates and US President Donald Trump threatens to hit more countries with tariffs.

Shortly after tariffs on China imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump took effect on Tuesday, China's Finance Ministry said it would impose levies of 15 per cent on imports of U.S. coal and LNG and 10% per cent for crude oil as well as on farm equipment and some autos,