The rapid-fire shots of tariffs and import curbs hearken back to Trump’s first term in office, when the U.S. and China engaged in a trade war that spanned most of Trump’s first four years in office and was continued to a certain extent under his successor, Joe Biden.

U.S. President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium sent gold to record highs on worries of widening trade conflict and inflation, while some countries held out hope for negotiations and Chinese steel firm shares came under pressure.

Existing American tariffs already restrict steel and aluminum shipments from China, which is now flooding other markets with its exports instead.