China, U.S. Fire Off New Tariffs in Middle of Trade Talks

The restarted negotiations involve lower-level officials—both sides have played down hopes for major progress in this round of talks

BEIJING—China and the U.S. launched a fresh round of tariffs on $16 billion in each other’s goods, even as officials from both governments sat down for negotiations to resolve their monthslong trade fight.

Just after the U.S. Customs and Border Protection order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, China’s Commerce Ministry announced the imposition of retaliatory measures. The tit-for-tat 25% duties cover Chinese-made chemicals, machinery, tractor parts and U.S.-produced fishmeal, industrial lubricants, engines and trucks,...