China hits US agriculture, says it won't be bullied by fresh Trump tariffs

China has accused the White House of "blackmail" over its tariff hike, saying it had some of the world's toughest anti-drug policies. File Picture: AP Photo/Andy Wong

China on Tuesday swiftly retaliated against fresh US tariffs, announcing 10%-15% hikes to import levies covering a range of American agricultural and food products, moving the world's top two economies a step closer towards an all-out trade war.

Beijing also placed twenty five US firms under export and investment restrictions on national security grounds, but refrained from punishing any household names, as it did when it retaliated against the Trump administration's February 4 tariffs.