China raises tariffs on US to 125% as global trade war heats up

China has confirmed that it will be increasing import tariffs on US goods to a whopping 125 percent, vowing to 'fight to the end' in the latest trade war escalation between the two countries.

The trade stand-off between the two nations is showing no signs of ending, after US leader Donald Trump previously confirmed that he would be raising tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 percent while allowing a 90-day pause on tariffs for most nations.

China's decision to respond to Trump's latest move follows a defiant statement given by officials from the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong, which confirmed they would not negotiate under current conditions.

"We must solemnly tell the US that a tariff-wielding barbarian who attempts to force countries to call and beg for mercy can never expect that call from China," the statement read (via PBS).

How Donald Trump's trade war with China unfolded

President Trump's decision to make China its key target of trade tariffs can be traced back to the early days of his current presidency.

In February, Trump announced that he would be placing a 10 percent tariff on China, alongside 25 percent tariffs on goods from China and Mexico. This was later upped to 20 percent at the end of the month, after the East Asian nation confirmed 'countermeasures' against the US.

China was later targeted again during Trump's 'Liberation Day' tariffs announcement, with the US president slapping a further 34 percent onto their existing tariffs, bringing the total up to 54 percent.

It was at this point that the tit-for-tat between the two nations escalated, with the US threatening to up their punishment 104 percent. Officials in China responded by upping American tariffs to 84 percent, which prompted Trump to slap a tariff bill of 125 percent on China.

Neither country appears willing to back down from the ongoing trade escalation (Ken Ishii - Pool/Getty Images)

This was later revised to the 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods which is in place at the time of writing, however, things may change due to the fact that US imports to China now face tariffs of 125 percent.

The trade war will hit both American and Chinese citizens hard, with imported goods expected to more than double in price.

It's unclear where the ongoing back and forth between China and the US will end, however, Trump did previously suggest that negotiations could be made between the two countries.

"President Xi... I like him," Trump said while answering questions in the Oval Office. "Xi is a smart guy and we'll end up making a very good deal."