Donald Trump's $50 billion China threat only signals worse to come

US proposals to smack tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese imports are just the start, economists and China-watchers said as they await an impending announcement. The Trump administration is preparing to release a refined list of Chinese products to be hit with tariffs that focus on technologies where China wants to establish itself as a leader, according to people familiar with the matter. 

The White House has said the duties will be implemented “shortly” after the release of Friday’s list, though no date has been set. Here are some early reactions: Tai Hui, JP Morgan Asset Management Inc.’s chief market strategist for Asia Pacific in Hong Kong: “Three rounds of negotiation with Beijing have failed to delay or prevent this outcome. The threshold to come to a consensus or a compromise seems high. Second, the implementation of tariffs on China is one of several fronts that the US is battling on the issue of trade right now.” “Last week’s G7 Summit has reiterated the Trump administration’s tough stance on trade with Canada and Europe, with potential retaliatory measures from these two markets kicking in July.”