Trump Administration Imposes Up to 245% Tariff on Chinese Imports, Escalating US-China Trade War
In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions between the United States and China, the Trump administration has imposed a steep new tariff of up to 245% on Chinese imports. This move, announced through a White House fact sheet on Tuesday evening, is being positioned as a direct response to Beijing’s increasing restrictions on vital high-tech materials and its retaliatory tariffs on American goods.
The White House said the decision reflects President Donald Trump’s renewed commitment to his “America First Trade Policy,” a key pillar of his second-term agenda. The administration accused China of intentionally disrupting global supply chains by limiting the export of critical raw materials, many of which are essential for sectors like defense, aerospace, and advanced electronics.
“China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions,” the White House stated, adding that this measure is meant to counter China’s economic aggression and protect strategic American industries.
According to the fact sheet, China recently halted the export of several essential high-tech elements including gallium, germanium, and antimony—materials commonly used in semiconductors, military applications, and aerospace engineering. Just this week, the Chinese government expanded these restrictions by suspending the export of six heavy rare earth metals and rare earth magnets. These materials play a crucial role in the manufacturing of electric vehicles, smartphones, defense systems, and other advanced technologies.
“A few months ago, China banned exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications,” the statement read. “Now, it has taken further steps to choke off supplies of components central to global manufacturing and defense.”
The new tariff rate marks a substantial increase over the already-high 145% rate that had been implemented just days earlier. The White House framed the latest move as necessary due to China’s continued refusal to engage cooperatively in fair trade practices and its decision to raise its own tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% last Friday.
Although China has borne the brunt of these new trade measures, the administration clarified that the elevated tariffs are currently limited to Chinese goods. Tariff increases for other countries have been paused for 90 days amid ongoing negotiations. “More than 75 countries have already reached out to discuss new trade deals,” the White House noted. “Given those talks, we’ve paused additional tariffs for now—except for China, which has chosen to retaliate rather than cooperate.”
The administration also announced the launch of a new national security investigation focusing on the importation of strategic materials, highlighting growing concern over America’s dependence on foreign resources for critical manufacturing processes. The investigation will explore vulnerabilities in supply chains and the potential national security risks posed by reliance on materials sourced from geopolitical rivals.
President Trump has long criticized what he describes as unfair trade practices by China, and these latest measures are being portrayed as a continuation of his campaign to rebalance trade in favor of the United States. The White House reiterated that the president is determined to defend American industry, ensure the integrity of critical supply chains, and push back against foreign economic coercion.
“On Day One, President Trump initiated his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again,” the administration’s statement read. “These new tariffs are a necessary step in preserving American leadership in innovation, manufacturing, and defense.”
While the exact list of products affected by the new 245% tariff has not yet been disclosed, trade analysts suggest the scope will likely include a broad range of both industrial and consumer goods. This could result in increased prices for electronics, machinery, automotive parts, and other imports from China, potentially affecting American businesses and consumers alike.
As the situation continues to unfold, global markets are bracing for further volatility, with both countries signaling that the trade standoff may be far from over.
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