Two US warships sailed close to islands claimed by China within the South China Sea on Monday, a transfer more likely to anger Beijing at a time of tense relations between the nations with the world’s two largest economies.

Beijing and Washington are locked in a commerce conflict and are negotiating a deal forward of a March 1 deadline when US tariffs on $200 billion price of Chinese language imports are anticipated to extend to 25 per cent from 10 per cent.

A US official mentioned two guided-missile destroyers travelled inside 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef within the Spratly Islands.

The operation was the most recent try and counter what Washington claims is Beijing’s efforts to restrict freedom of navigation in waters the place Chinese language, Japanese and a few southeast Asian navies function.

It was the second such mission by the US this yr. In early January, the destroyer USS McCampbell sailed inside 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Island chain.

US warships sail by way of intently watched Taiwan Strait

China has laid declare to virtually all the South China Sea and has criticised the US and its allies for “freedom of navigation” operations close to Chinese language-occupied islands.

The powers have traded barbs over what Washington mentioned was Beijing’s navy set up constructing on synthetic islands and reefs.

China mentioned its development was vital for defence, and it was the US that was liable for tensions by sending warships and navy planes near islands Beijing claims.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan have competing claims.

Fears have grown on each side that the US-China commerce dispute is one aspect in a relationship that’s quick cooling, with senior US administration officers making a litany of complaints in opposition to Beijing for all the pieces from human rights abuses to cyber espionage.

The 2 are additionally at odds over Washington’s overtures to the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which China claims.