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China blames US for 'largest-scale trade war' as tariffs kick in

Trump warns that over $500 billion worth of Chinese goods could be targeted

Li Keqiang,  Chinese Premier
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Trade war is never a solution. China would never start a trade war but if any party resorts to an increase of tariffs, then China will take measures in response to protect development interests: Li Keqiang, Chinese Premier

Michael Martina & David Lawder | Reuters Beijing/Washington
The United States and China slapped tit-for-tat duties on $34 billion worth of each other's imports on Friday, with Beijing accusing Washington of triggering the "largest-scale trade war" as the world's two biggest economies sharply escalated their conflict.

Hours before Washington's deadline for the tariffs to take effect, US President Donald Trump upped the ante, warning that the United States may ultimately target over $500 billion worth of Chinese goods, or roughly the total amount of US imports from China last year.

China's commerce ministry, in a statement shortly after the US deadline passed at 0401 GMT on Friday, said it was