US files plans to raise tariffs on Chinese imports

WASHINGTON – The U.S. government has filed plans to raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports from 10% to 25% Friday.

The filing by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative appeared Wednesday in the official Federal Register.

The tariff hike, to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern time Friday, will escalate a year-long trade dispute with China. A Chinese delegation is coming to Washington Thursday and Friday to salvage negotiations.

The world’s two biggest economies are fighting over U.S. allegations that Beijing steals American technology, forces U.S. companies to hand over trade secrets and subsidizes Chinese tech companies in a drive to supplant American technological dominance.

The Trump administration decided to hike the tariffs after accusing China of reneging on commitments it made in earlier talks.