White House Slams 245% Tariff on Chinese Imports Over Trade Retaliation

|By Adejumo Adekunle-

China Hit with 245% Tariff Amid Trade Tensions
White House Says Retaliation Ignited Steep Penalty on Imports

China is now facing a staggering 245 percent tariff on exports to the United States, following what the White House described as retaliatory actions by Beijing in response to ongoing trade disputes.

A fact sheet released Wednesday by the White House confirmed the new tariff rate, marking a sharp rise from the previous 145 percent duty that had already been placed on Chinese goods.

The update signals renewed intensity in the long-running trade standoff between the world’s two largest economies.

The tariff hike stems from the broader “Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan” initiated by former U.S. President Donald Trump, aimed at correcting what he called non-reciprocal trade agreements and addressing the country’s trade deficit. Under the plan, Trump had imposed high tariffs on several countries, including China, pushing for fairer terms.

However, after pressure from the global community, the Trump administration paused the tariffs for 90 days, allowing negotiations to take place. Over 75 countries opened talks with Washington in hopes of securing revised trade deals.

But the pause did not extend to China.

“As a result, the individualised higher tariffs are currently paused amid these discussions, except for China, which retaliated,” the White House said in the document.

China’s decision to fight back rather than negotiate prompted Washington to reinstate and intensify penalties, slapping Beijing with the sharpest tariff seen under the plan so far.

Analysts say this development could further strain U.S.-China relations and complicate ongoing efforts to stabilize global trade.