(Yicai Global) March 7 -- The Trump administration is considering substantially restricting Chinese investment in the U.S. and imposing extensive tariffs on its exports in order to respond to China for allegedly infringing on intellectual property, reported Lianhe Zaobao, Singapore's largest Chinese-language newspaper, today, citing sources familiar with the situation.

Among the measures considered by the U.S. is large-scale tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods, including footwear, clothing and consumer electronic products, it said.

Last year, the U.S. Trade Representative began investigating China's intellectual property practices based on a seldom used law. Under the law, U.S. President Trump has the power to enforce trade restrictions to protect U.S. businesses from foreign unfair trade practices. The investigation results are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The move is tantamount to a tightening of tensions over Trump's plan to impose high tariffs on steel and aluminum, which may not only cause retaliation from its major trading partners including its allies and China, but may also upset Republican congressmen for the economic costs to be paid, the report added.