US President Donald Trump is seeking to impose tariffs on up to US$60 billion (HK$468 billion) of Chinese imports and will target the technology and telecommunications sectors, two sources said.

A third source said the tariffs, associated with an intellectual property investigation under the 1974 US Trade Act begun in August last year, could come "in the very near future."

While the tariffs would be chiefly targeted at information technology, consumer electronics and telecoms, they could be much broader and the list could eventually run to 100 products, this person said.

In Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Sino-US trade relations should not be a zero-sum game, and that the two countries should use "constructive" means to manage tension.

"We have said many times that China resolutely opposes any kind of unilateral protectionist trade measures," Lu said.

Trump is targeting tech firms to punish China for its policies that effectively force US companies to give up their technology secrets in exchange for being allowed to operate in the country, as well as for other IP practices Washington considers unfair.

The Trump administration is also considering imposing investment restrictions on Chinese firms over and above the heightened national security restrictions.

Lobbyists expressed concern that the tariff plan would also include other labor-intensive consumer goods sectors such as apparel, footwear and toys.

Higher tariffs on these products would "hurt American families," said Hun Quach, a trade lobbyist for a pro-business think tank.

China also voiced hope Trump's sudden firing of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not impact bilateral relations or planned talks between the US president and North Korea's leader.

Lu said China hopes that the US "can maintain the positive situation that has recently developed."

REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE