Experts told Business Insider that the targeted and calibrated nature of the response doesn't mean Beijing is backing down.

However, on Tuesday new rules came into force which closed a loophole that allowed small packages worth $800 (£641) or less to be sent to the US without paying tax or fees. It was one of the measures announced by US President Donald Trump who imposed an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported to the US from China.

U.S. President Donald Trump this week shut a trade loophole that has been used to ship low-value packages duty-free from China, the "de minimis" exemption on import tariffs. Trump's halt to Section 321 de minimis is part of his implementation of an additional 10% tariff on China and 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico,