US Imposes 245% Tariffs on Select Chinese Imports Amid Trade War

The United States has imposed tariffs of up to 245% on certain Chinese imports, according to a White House fact sheet, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies.

The move follows China’s retaliatory measures, including export restrictions on critical materials and reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods.

The 245% figure aggregates multiple tariff layers: a 125% reciprocal tariff, a 20% levy tied to the fentanyl crisis, and Section 301 tariffs ranging from 7.5% to 100% on specific goods.

While the White House framed the total as a response to China’s export curbs on strategic materials like gallium, germanium, and rare earth metals, reports indicate the 245% rate currently applies primarily to electric vehicles and syringes, combining existing tariffs from prior administrations with Trump-era hikes.

Beijing has raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%, suspended Boeing jet deliveries, and restricted exports of six heavy rare earth metals and magnets—components critical to automotive, aerospace, and defense industries.

China’s foreign ministry dismissed the U.S. tariff announcement as a “numbers game,” with spokesperson Lin Jian stating, “China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them”.

The White House emphasized that over 75 countries are negotiating new trade agreements, prompting a pause in most individualized tariffs—a reprieve not extended to China.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s postal service announced plans to suspend U.S. deliveries following the elimination of de minimis exemptions for small parcels.

The Trump administration has signaled openness to a trade deal but insists China must initiate concessions. “The ball is in China’s court,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Concurrently, the U.S. is reportedly leveraging tariff talks with 70+ nations to curb China’s ability to reroute exports or establish offshore operations to bypass tariffs.

The measures intensify a conflict that saw $582 billion in two-way trade in 2024, with U.S. imports from China dominated by electronics, machinery, and rare earths. Analysts warn the 245% rate effectively functions as a trade embargo for targeted goods, pressuring global supply chains already strained by China’s export bans.

China maintains its actions are “reasonable and legal” countermeasures to U.S. “unilateral intimidation,” while urging dialogue “on the basis of equality”.

The standoff underscores deepening bifurcation in global trade, with both nations weaponizing economic dependencies in a high-stakes clash over technological supremacy and market access.