The first punches have been thrown between the United States and China in what could amount to a short-lived trade dispute with limited economic fallout or the start of yet another lengthy and painful trade war reminiscent of President Donald Trump’s first term.

Beijing has dismissed Washington’s tariff war saying thatthreatening orputting pressure on China would lead to nowhere. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saidThursdaythat the United States should be reminded that the trade wars it has waged would be counterproductive.

After China's measured retaliatory response to US tariffs, President Donald Trump has said that he is not in a hurry to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping. On the other hand, the European Union trade head,

Beijing accused the United States Wednesday of "suppression" after its postal service said it was suspending parcels from China and Hong Kong, a move that could hit e-commerce giants Temu and Shein.Tensions between the US and China have soared in recent days as the world's two largest economies slapped a volley of tariffs on each others' imports,