PEKING (dpa-AFX) - Following the announcement of higher special tariffs on electric cars and other Chinese goods, China has accused the US of election campaign maneuvering. "The newly announced tariff hike is mainly a symbolic gesture by which the Biden administration is trying to play tough with China amid the increasingly fierce election campaign for the presidential candidacy," China's official state agency Xinhua wrote on Tuesday after the US government announced the tariffs.

The current tariffs, which were first introduced by former US President Donald Trump in 2018 and have now been adjusted by the Biden administration, had already effectively kept Chinese vehicles out of the US car market.

The Chinese state broadcaster CCTV spoke of an "abuse of trade protectionist measures by the USA". It would seriously hinder the modernization of the US car industry. Negative effects are also to be expected for consumers. It would also undermine global efforts to combat climate change.

Even before the US measures were announced, the Beijing Foreign Ministry had issued a warning on Tuesday. "China has always opposed the unilateral imposition of tariffs that violate WTO rules," said ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. China will "take all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests"./jpt/DP/men