The Chinese State Council has announced plans to lower tariffs on some of its consumer goods ranging from computers to textile products due to pressure from trade partners. An official statement stated, tariffs under category one will be lowered to 13 per cent from the earlier 15 per cent while those under category two will be lowered to 20 per cent from 25 per cent. This adjustment will take effect on April 9, 2019.

Products under category one include consumer products like books, magazines, computers, video camera, food, beverage, furniture, qualified drugs, among others. The items under category two are sporting goods (exclude golf balls and equipments), fishing products, textile products and bikes. The move is been seen as Beijing’s efforts in response to major trade partners challenging its trade practises.

While China and the US have slapped tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade, the European Union plans to take China to task for alleged unfair trade policies.