New York: The Trump administration has deepened its trade war with China by announcing a new round of tariffs worth $US16 billion ($22 billion), a move the Chinese government has warned will trigger another round of retaliatory tariffs on US exports.

The tranche of 25 per cent tariffs - which covers 279 products including electronic parts, plastics, chemicals, batteries, tractors and railway cars - follows $US34 billion worth of tariffs announced by the US government in July.

The Office United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the tariffs in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon US time. They will take effect on August 23.

The Trump administration has formally announced a new round of tariffs on Chinese goods Credit:Bloomberg

The trade representative said the tariffs were a response to an investigation, released this year, which found China’s policies on technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation were unreasonable and discriminatory, and placed an unfair burden US commerce.