Trump imposes a whooping 245% tariff on China after retaliatory actions

In a bold and dramatic escalation of the US-China trade conflict, former President Donald Trump’s administration has announced a sweeping new tariff of up to 245% on Chinese imports. The move, unveiled through a White House fact sheet late Tuesday, comes as a retaliatory response to China’s tightening grip on key high-tech materials and its recent round of export bans.

According to the White House statement, China will now face one of the harshest trade penalties ever imposed by the United States. The Trump administration accused Beijing of manipulating its exports to restrict access to crucial materials like gallium, germanium, antimony, and several rare earth elements — all of which are considered essential for sectors such as defense, aerospace, semiconductors, and automotive manufacturing.

“China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions,” the White House said. It characterized the decision as a cornerstone of Trump’s ongoing “America First Trade Policy” designed to protect national security and restore economic balance.

The situation intensified after China imposed tariffs of up to 125% on American goods last Friday. That followed President Trump's earlier move to raise tariffs on Chinese products from 75% to 145%, sparking a fresh cycle of trade retaliation. While tariffs on imports from other nations have been paused for 90 days amid negotiation efforts, the White House emphasized that no such pause will apply to China.

The trade clash has drawn global attention due to the involvement of materials critical to global technology and defense supply chains. China recently suspended exports of six heavy rare earth metals and specialized magnets — moves seen by Washington as an economic chokehold on advanced manufacturing.

Despite the aggressive stance toward Beijing, the White House noted that more than 75 countries are currently engaged in dialogue for new trade agreements, suggesting a shift in global trade dynamics post-implementation of these tariffs. “Individualized higher tariffs are currently paused amid discussions, except for China, which retaliated,” the statement clarified.