China's State Council decided to further reduce import tariffs on a range of consumer goods effective July 1, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
The State Council said the move is aimed at further opening up China's market as well as meeting consumer demand, according to the report, which cited a government statement released after an executive meeting chaired by Premier Li Keqiang.
The average tariff rate for imported clothing, shoes, hats, kitchenware, and sports and fitness supplies will be cut to 7.1% from 15.9%. The average rate for washing machines and refrigerators will also be more than halved to 8% from 20.5%.
For cultured and fished aquatic products and processed food such as mineral water, the average tariff rate will be slashed to 6.9% from 15.2%, the report said.
Cosmetics such as skin care and hair care items, along with detergents and some medical and health products, will have a new average tariff rate of 2.9%, compared to 8.4% previously.
The import tariff cuts were announced ahead of the latest round of trade negotiations between China and the U.S. On May 29, Washington said it will impose 25% tariffs on $50 billion of goods imported from China containing industrially significant technology.
Reacting to the latest U.S. tariff threat, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China would take "firm and forceful measures" to protect its rights and interests.
