The rapid-fire shots of tariffs and import curbs hearken back to Trump’s first term in office, when the U.S. and China engaged in a trade war that spanned most of Trump’s first four years in office and was continued to a certain extent under his successor, Joe Biden.

Existing American tariffs already restrict steel and aluminum shipments from China, which is now flooding other markets with its exports instead.

China's tariffs - due to begin next Monday - would also apply to US oil and farm machinery, but more talks are due this week.