If US persists in playing hardball, Beijing will too

In a move that intensifies Washington's trade offensive against China, the US Trade Representative's Office said on Tuesday it will go ahead with the previously announced 25 percent tariffs on Chinese goods worth $16 billion.

Coming into effect on Aug 23, this will complete the first round of tariffs announced by the Donald Trump administration on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports.

Given that the US administration has also threatened to impose 25 percent tariffs on another $200 billion worth of Chinese goods - and perhaps another $300 billion of goods until tariffs are imposed on virtually everything imported from China - the two countries' trade conflict, which is merely push and shove at the moment, is likely to escalate into more than just a scuffle if the US administration cannot marshal its mobster mentality.