==China halts purchase of U.S. farm products
hina halts purchase of U.S. farm products

by Reuters
Monday, 5 August 2019 17:50 GMT
(Adds details from the Commerce Ministry statement)

By Koh Gui Qing

Aug 6 (Reuters) - China has halted its purchases of U.S. agricultural products and will not rule out levying import tariffs on American farm imports purchased after Aug. 3, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said early on Tuesday.

The moves by China represent the latest escalation in its trade row with the United States that has unnerved global markets and investors.

"Related Chinese companies have suspended purchases of U.S. agricultural products," China's Ministry of Commerce said in an online statement posted shortly after midnight in Beijing on Tuesday.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry did not disclose the value of U.S. agricultural imports that may be subjected to new import tariffs.