CHINA, Mexico and Canada hit back today at the decision by US President Donald Trump to raise tariffs on their products.

China responded to the 20 per cent across-the-board US tariffs by announcing it will impose its own additional tariffs of up to 15 per cent on imports of key US farm products, including chicken, pork, soy and beef, and expanded controls on doing business with key US companies.

Mexico said that it would announce its retaliation to the 25 per cent tariffs, imposed by the US, in a speech next Sunday.

Canada has said that it will slap tariffs on more than $100 billion (£79bn) of US goods over the course of 21 days.

The Chinese tariffs on the US will take effect from March 10, though goods already in transit will be exempt until April 12.

Imports of US-grown chicken, wheat, corn and cotton will face an extra 15 per cent tariff, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said. Tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruit, vegetables and dairy products will be increased by 10 per cent.

The US tariffs began a day before the annual session of China’s legislature, the National People’s Congress, which meets from tomorrow.

By raising tariffs, the US has repaid kindness with enmity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, saying: “I would like to reiterate that the Chinese people have never been afraid of evil, do not believe in ghosts and have never been bullied.”

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said: “There is no motive or reason, nor justification that supports this decision that will affect our people and our nations.”