Beijing hit back with its own tariffs and export restrictions after being subjected to levies by President Trump. Trade experts said China appeared to aim for minimal short-term harm while showing the range of its possible responses.

China has called for fresh talks with the US after a call between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping was cancelled and the trade war between the world’s largest economies began to show its first effects. Beijing expressed its “resolute opposition” to US tariffs on its exports and called for “dialogue” to resolve trade differences.