The Chinese government early today (Beijing time) said it was taking the first steps toward imposing additional duties on a variety of products that need the Chinese market including chicken meat and automotive products.

Such a move would have disastrous consequences for both industries. China is a top market for U.S. poultry and producers have complained bitterly that the government of the world's most populous country has blocked sales of U.S. poultry meat and eggs, a claim flatly denied by the Chinese. General Motors Corp., for now the top U.S. automaker, posted record sales in China earlier this year.

The U.S. exported about $71.5 billion in goods to China in 2008. During that same time, the U.S. imported more than $337 billion worth of goods. Many economists have noted that the $585 billion Chinese economic stimulus seems to be working better than the $787 billion U.S. plan, further straining their trade relationship.

Sometimes, the U.S. and China seem to bicker like and an old married couple that can't live or without one another. It's amazing how these sorts of relationships have their ups and downs. In the case of the U.S. and China, things seemed much better earlier this year. In April, the two countries formed the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and in July it appeared as though some progress was being made. U.S. China Business Council President John Frisbie noted in a press release that "we are pleased that the United States and China continue to work together to restore economic growth."

If the trade spat becomes a trade war, the U.S. and China will find that making up is hard to do.