imposed

exporters

put an end

initiate

importers

plunge

retaliate

get closer

backtracking

postponed K. tariffs L. escalation M. hike N. restricting O. countermeasures 1. The comments come as Beijing said it would 1)____________with "necessary 2)____________" if the US raises 3)____________ on Chinese products. 2. Only recently, the two sides seemed to be nearing an agreement that would 4 )____________ to the trade war. 3. But on Sunday Mr Trump said on Twitter the US would 5 )____________ tariffs on $200bn worth of Chinese goods this week and could introduce fresh tariffs. 4. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer later accused China of 6)____________ on commitments in trade talks. However, he insisted a deal with Beijing was still possible. 5. Tariffs are taxes paid by 7)____________ on foreign goods, so a 25% tariff 8)____________ by the US on Chinese goods would be paid by American companies. 6. The 9)____________of the trade war has sent waves across financial markets. 7. Tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods were supposed to rise to 25% from 10% at the start of the year but that was 10)____________as negotiations advanced.