The Chinese government announced the tariffs last week, shortly after President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese products for the second time since he took office in January. The Chinese tariffs will include a levy of 15 percent on U.S. products like chicken, wheat and corn, as well as 10 percent on products like soybeans, pork, beef and fruit.

Chinese tariffs as high as 15% on a range of US agricultural goods take effect Monday, potentially exacerbating a trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.

The tariffs add a new front to a trade war largely driven by Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China and threats of protectionist measures on other nations.

The leaders of both Canada and Mexico got on the phone with President Donald Trump this past week to seek solutions after he slapped tariffs on their countries, but China’s president appears unlikely to make a similar call soon.

China announced tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products on Saturday in retaliation for October's decision to impose duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminium. The Chinese commerce ministry said a 100 per cent tariff would be placed on Canadian rapeseed oil,

Earlier this week, the Trump administration imposed across-the-board 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico.