US trade groups seek moderation

Experts say industries do not want to see protracted disputes amid tensions

US economists and trade groups say that additional tariffs by China were an inevitable response to the 10 percent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Chinese imports that came into effect on Tuesday. However, most US industries do not want to see a protracted trade war.

The tariffs by China, scheduled to start on Feb 10, will include a 15 percent tax on some coal and liquefied natural gas, and a 10 percent tariff on crude oil and agricultural machinery, China's Ministry of Finance said.

Thomas Fullerton, an economics professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, told China Daily that "some (US) companies may … be affected by government actions taken in Beijing".