China has given new waivers to several importers to buy U.S. soybeans exempt from retaliatory tariffs, in a goodwill gesture ahead of high-level trade talks next month, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The waivers, offered in two batches, total around 5 million to 6 million tonnes, according to one of the sources. They came as China returned to the U.S. soybean market this month.

China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that the country would have to take countermeasures if the United States imposes new additional tariffs on Chinese goods.
 

This came after the United States threatened an additional tariff of 10 percent on about 300 billion U.S. dollars of Chinese imports.

China's position is consistent and clear. "Trade wars produce no winners. China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one, and it will fight one if necessary,"
Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng told a press conference.

According to MOFCOM (Ministry of Commerce PRC) Announcement No. 55 of 2018 and TCSC (Tariff Commission of the State Council) Announcement of Imposing Tariff on Imported Products Originating in the US and Valued 16 billion US Dollars (TCSC Announcement No.7 of 2018), now the adjusted list Ⅱ of the US imports subject to additional tariffs is released.

China will impose a 25% tariff on the related US imports from 12:01 on August 23, 2018 including USA Fishmeal (HS Code: 23012010).