Trump likely to raise tariffs on China in two steps, analysts say

WASHINGTON -- Donald Trump will likely consider a two-step plan to sharply increase duties on Chinese goods if he is elected president again in November and may threaten Japan and Europe with higher tariffs to force them to open up their markets more to American products.

Trump said in early February that he is weighing duties of more than 60% targeting China. He would likely employ two legal provisions that he used during his presidency: Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows an administration to slap tariffs on countries seen as engaging in unfair trade practices, and Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, which permits it to impose trade restrictions on national security grounds.