China vowed on Wednesday it would take “firm and forceful” steps to protect its interests, after steep US tariffs of 104 percent came into effect. Following the sweeping 10 percent tariffs imposed over the weekend, rates on imports to the United States from exporters including the European Union and Japan rose further on Wednesday. China, Washington’s top economic rival but also a major trading partner, is the hardest hit, with tariffs imposed on its products since Trump returned to the White House now reaching a staggering 104 percent.
