The administration of President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping new tariff—reaching as high as 245%—on Chinese imports, significantly intensifying the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China. This development, outlined in a fact sheet released late Tuesday by the White House, is framed as a direct response to recent Chinese export restrictions and retaliatory tariff hikes.
“Due to China’s retaliatory measures, it now faces tariffs of up to 245% on its exports to the United States,” the White House stated, presenting the move as a core element of Trump’s “America First Trade Policy.”
Officials accused China of purposefully curbing the export of vital high-tech materials, including gallium, germanium, and antimony—resources considered crucial to the military, aerospace, and semiconductor sectors. More recently, China halted exports of six heavy rare earth elements and rare earth magnets, further tightening control over components critical to global industries.
“Several months ago, China cut off U.S. access to gallium, germanium, antimony, and similar strategic materials with potential military uses,” the White House noted. “This week, they expanded those restrictions to include six heavy rare earth metals and rare earth magnets—essential to automakers, aerospace firms, semiconductor producers, and defense contractors worldwide.”
Escalating Trade Tensions
In a retaliatory move, China raised tariffs on American goods to 125% last Friday. This followed President Trump’s earlier decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, while temporarily halting further tariff hikes on goods from other nations for 90 days.
While the newly implemented tariffs are broad in scope, the White House clarified that countries currently engaged in trade negotiations with the U.S. are exempt for now. “Over 75 countries have already initiated talks toward new trade agreements,” the statement added. “Consequently, elevated tariffs are on hold for all except China, which responded with countermeasures.”
