President Donald Trump warned on Friday he was ready to slaptariffs on virtually all Chinese imports into the United States,threatening duties on another $267 billion of goods on top of$200 billion in imports primed for levies in coming days.

The moves would sharply escalate Trump's trade war withBeijing over his demands for major changes in economic, tradeand technology policy. China has threatened retaliation, whichcould include action against US companies operating there.

Hours after a public comment period closed on his $200billion China tariff list, Trump told reporters aboard Air ForceOne that he was "being strong on China because I have to be."

Reuters