China is now facing tariffs of up to 245 per cent on exports to the United States, according to a statement released by the White House on Tuesday evening.
The development came shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to initiate an investigation into the national security implications of America's reliance on imported critical minerals.
The executive order instructs the Secretary of Commerce to begin a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
This act allows the US government to assess whether certain imports threaten national security. In the past, this provision was used to evaluate the impact of imports such as aluminium, steel, timber, and copper.
Although China was not directly named in the executive order, it is the world’s leading producer of 30 out of 50 critical minerals listed by the US Geological Survey. These minerals are essential for various strategic sectors, including defence, clean energy, and electronics.
The move follows China’s recent decision to impose export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and specialised magnets that are crucial for the US defence and automotive industries. Beijing’s move was a direct response to Washington’s earlier round of tariff hikes on Chinese goods.
The 245 per cent tariff rate includes a mixture of previously imposed duties and new categories introduced in recent months.
For instance, Chinese syringes and needles exported to the US are already subject to steep duties that fall under ‘Pre-2025 tariffs’ (100 per cent), ‘Fentanyl-related goods’ (20 per cent), and ‘Reciprocal measures’ (125 per cent).
Other products like lithium-ion batteries, woollen sweaters, and squid are also being taxed at rates ranging from 169 to 175 per cent.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the US had done its part in offering a path to renewed negotiations, and now the “ball is in China’s court.” She added that the US remains open to discussions, but only if Beijing approaches talks with sincerity.
Leavitt quoted President Trump, stating, “China needs to make a deal with us, we don’t have to make a deal with them.”
In response, China’s Foreign Ministry criticised Washington’s approach, calling it unhelpful and lacking mutual respect. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that if the US genuinely wished to resume talks, it should first “stop exerting maximum pressure.”
Meanwhile, China’s Defence Ministry also reacted sharply to reports of the US planning a significant increase in its military budget for 2026. Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang described America’s rising defence spending as evidence of its aggressive posture.
“The sky-high defence budget exposes the US belief in ‘might makes right’. Such behaviour will not make America great again,” he said.
Trade tensions between the two global powers have escalated dramatically in recent weeks. President Trump recently announced another round of tariff increases on Chinese goods, raising some duties to as high as 145 per cent.
In retaliation, China has slapped its own set of import tariffs on US goods, some reaching up to 125 per cent.
To avoid straining relationships with other key partners, the Trump administration has allowed a 90-day pause on increased tariffs for 75 countries that are currently in trade negotiations with Washington. India is among those nations benefiting from the temporary relief.
Posting on social media platform Truth Social on 9 April, Trump wrote, “At some point, China will realise that the days of ripping off the US and other countries are over.”
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