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Trump tariffs on China could be imminent

President Trump could impose tariffs on Chinese goods as soon as Friday.

Politico reports the Administration plans to publish a final list in the coming days, further enflaming tensions between the world’s largest economies.

The trade talks most recently have been centered on China’s willingness to increase exports of the very goods it is most likely to target for retaliation:  soybeans, U.S. aircraft, and other high value exports.

USDA undersecretary for trade Ted McKinney, fresh off a trip to Beijing, says he and the Administration remain cautiously optimistic a trade war can be avoided.

“There was a free flow of information, there was candor.  (China) of course was very focused on numbers (and) we countered by saying we’re not talking numbers until we talk through a lot of the policy and regulatory issues.”

He says those issues must be addressed before any specific numbers can be pursued.

McKinney says he’s hopeful talks will continue, and that the outcome will be positive for agriculture in particular.