US officials are targeting a $300 bn (€266 billion) list of additional Chinese imports, including laptop computers, for tariff hikes.

The US yesterday launched a new trade case against Chinese car and car-parts subsidies as President Barack Obama stumped for votes in Ohio, a car-manufacturing state that could be decisive in the November presidential election.

China's Commerce Ministry said it is worried that Europe's debt crisis could spill over into trade friction and hurt the country's exports.

Free talks between the United States and the United Arab Emirates were postponed today, a day after a Dubai company succumbed to pressure and backed out of a deal to take over operations at six major American ports.