China cancels trade talks with US amid escalation in tariff threats

Move comes after US announces to tariffs on $200 bn of Chinese goods

China scotched trade talks with the US that were planned for the coming days, according to people briefed on the matter, further dimming prospects for resolving a trade battle between the world’s two largest economies.

The decision to pull out of the talks follows the latest escalation in trade tensions.

On Monday, President Trump announced new tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate with levies on $60 billion in US goods. Mr. Trump then vowed to further ratchet up pressure on China by kicking in tariffs on another $257 billion of Chinese products.

Chinese officials have