Washington — US President Donald Trump wants to move ahead with a plan to impose tariffs on $200bn in Chinese imports as soon as a public-comment period concludes next week, according to six people familiar with the matter. Asked to confirm the plan in an interview with Bloomberg News in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump smiled and said it was “not totally wrong”. He also criticised management of the yuan, saying China has devalued its currency in response to a recent slowdown in economic growth. Companies and members of the public have until September 6 to submit comments on the proposed duties, which cover everything from selfie sticks to semiconductors. The president plans to impose the tariffs once that deadline passes, according to the people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are not public. Broadening the tariff battle would mark the most significant move yet in a months-long trade standoff and dent China’s growth prospects....

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