(Yicai Global) March 14 -- US President Donald Trump plans to bring in tariffs on Chinese imports worth up to USD60 billion with a focus on the technology, telecommunications and clothing sectors.

The tariffs could be brought in "very quickly," the Singapore United Morning Post cited a US government source as saying, adding that around 100 products could be affected. The White House declined to comment on the type of import duties it may levy.

Trump is targeting Chinese high-tech companies as a means of punishing Beijing for allegedly forcing US firms to give up technology secrets in exchange for permission to operate in China, in addition to other intellectual property practices that Washington deems unfair. The US may also expand restrictions on Chinese investments in the country beyond current concerns over national security, though specific details were unavailable.

China has a USD375 billion trade surplus with the US, and Trump has called on the Chinese government to reduce the figure, according to his Twitter account.

Though general tariffs on steel and aluminum imports announced last week will have a relatively modest impact on China, moves directly targeting the country could lead to Beijing making a strong and direct response.