On Saturday, Trump imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports, describing the move as an “opening salvo.” Despite earlier campaign promises to introduce tariffs as high as 60 per cent, the administration opted for a lower initial rate but warned of further increases if China fails to meet US demands.

China's government on Sunday denounced the Trump administration's imposition of a long-threatened 10% tariff on Chinese imports while leaving the door open for talks with the U.S. that could avoid a deepening conflict.