Tokyo/Sydney — Asian shares fell and copper prices eased on Tuesday after Washington announced new tariffs on Chinese imports, inflaming trade tensions between the world’s two biggest economies. US stock futures took a knock as well, with e-minis for the S&P 500 and the Dow Minis both down 0.2%. MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.3% with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index off 0.7% and Australian stocks down 0.4%. Chinese shares were a touch lower with the blue-chip index off 0.1% while Japan’s Nikkei bucked the trend, gaining more than 1.5%. The sell-off came after US President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on as additional $200bn worth of Chinese imports, and warned of duties on more products if China took retaliatory action. Trump spared smart watches from Apple and Fitbit and other consumer products such as bicycle helmets and car seats for babies. "The announcement dashes hopes of any trade negotiations between two rivals. Be prepared for a prolonge...

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