The extra 10 per cent duty US President Donald Trump threatened China with last week entered into force on Tuesday, resulting in a cumulative 20 per cent tariff in response to what the White House considers Chinese inaction over drug flows. The tariff represents an additional hike to pre-existing levies on thousands of Chinese goods.
The US has argued that China supplies chemicals used in fentanyl production. China has denied any wrongdoing.
Beijing will impose an additional 15 per cent tariff on US chicken, wheat, corn and cotton and an extra 10 per cent levy on US soybeans, sorghum, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits and vegetables and dairy imports from March 10, the finance ministry announced in a statement.
"The US's unilateral tariffs measures seriously violate World Trade Organisation rules and undermine the basis for economic and trade cooperation between China and the US," China's commerce ministry said in a separate statement.
"China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," the statement added.
Also on Tuesday, China added 15 US companies to its unreliable entities list, which could potentially bar them from engaging in China-related import or export activities and from making new investments in the country.
"China has decided to include 15 US entities that endanger China's national security and interests in the export control list, prohibiting the export of dual-use items to them," the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
with AP
