US tariffs on Chinese goods ruled illegal by World Trade Organisation

Donald Trump (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The World Trade Organisation has said US tariffs on Chinese goods totalling more than 200 billion dollars (£155 billion) are illegal under the rules of the global trade body.

It is the first time the Geneva-based trade body has ruled against a series of tariffs President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed on a number of countries, allies and rivals alike.