The White House may announce steep tariffs on Chinese imports as early as Thursday. They are expected to be worth as much as 60 billion US dollars a year -- targeting a wide range of goods. The US says the move is in response to China aggressively acquiring US technology. It adds to the recent US action on Steel and Aluminum imports. CGTN's Nathan King reports.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I am ordering the first ever comprehensive review of America's trade deficits and all violations of trade rules that harm the United States and the workers of the United States."

At the end of 2017 US President Trump ordered a review. Now he's about to impose the biggest set of tariffs since he came into office and they are aimed solely at China. 

Those other measures could include restricting the number of Chinese students conducting research in the U.S. in cutting-edge technologies. The tariffs on goods are thought to be focused on consumer electronics but could also include clothing, toys, furniture and many more items.

While no details have yet been officially announced, there is growing concern both domestically and across the world.

Here in the US scores of trade groups have sent letters to the White House with the same message, 'Mr. President, don't do this'. They say it will cause the US more harm than good. 

One of the groups puts it this way, "A tariff on these products would be a tax on every American. In addition to increasing costs for American families, this action could result in retaliatory tariffs that target American businesses, resulting in job losses."

In Beijing, officials are warning against the US taking emotional actions that will harm the global economy- especially as China continues to open its economy.

LI KEQIANG CHINESE PREMIER "China will continue to safeguard free trade and the reform and open-up policy, which is our basic state policy. If there is any change in China's open-door policy, I would like to say it would only be opened wider. China's economy has been so integrated with the world's, that closing China's door would mean blocking our way of development."

Imposing steep tariffs on China would follow on the heels of the US President's imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. However even before those have come into force Trump has significantly backtracked -exempting its biggest supplier Canada and neighbor Mexico and is cutting similar deals with other allies like Australia.

The US could adopt a similar approach to the tariffs on China -make a big opening announcement as a way to try and extract concessions from Beijing. For now, Beijing is adopting a wait and see attitude, hinting at retaliation against US agricultural and aerospace exports.

NATHAN KING WASHINGTON "But for Washington, this isn't just about trade but a battle for the future. The Trump administration sees China more and more as an economic competitor when it comes to the industries of tomorrow. The US has already blocked multiple takeovers of semiconductor companies by Chinese firms. They appear set to oppose more. This may not be as much about trade as it is economic warfare. Nathan King CGTN Washington."