Washington, April 16 – The United States has intensified its trade standoff with China by imposing retaliatory tariffs of up to 245 percent on Chinese imports, following Beijing’s recent actions against American exports. According to a fact sheet released by the White House, this decision is part of President Donald Trump’s renewed "America First" trade policy aimed at safeguarding national interests and defending domestic industries, as per agency report.
President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday to reveal that China had refused to accept aircraft under a major Boeing deal, confirming earlier reports suggesting that Chinese aviation authorities had instructed airlines to halt procurement from the American aerospace giant. Trump condemned this move and reiterated his commitment to protect American farmers and businesses amid the escalating trade war.
The White House announcement followed an executive order signed by President Trump initiating a formal investigation into the national security risks posed by America’s dependence on imported processed critical minerals and related products. The executive action aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains for materials vital to defense and advanced technology sectors.
While over 75 countries have reportedly come forward to negotiate new trade agreements under the revised US trade strategy, China has stood out as the only country to respond with direct countermeasures. Last Friday, China raised its tariffs on US imports to 125 percent, in response to the 145 percent tariff hike imposed earlier by the US on Chinese exports.
The White House fact sheet highlighted that, due to its retaliatory actions, China is now facing US import tariffs reaching as high as 245 percent. The administration also accused Beijing of restricting exports of key technological materials to the US, including gallium, germanium, antimony, and other strategic minerals.
These critical minerals are essential components for US defense applications such as jet engines, missile guidance systems, advanced computing, radar infrastructure, and secure communications equipment. The move underscores US concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Meanwhile, China responded on Wednesday by appointing Li Chenggang as its new international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce. A veteran diplomat with years of experience in international negotiations, Chenggang previously served as China’s ambassador to the World Trade Organization. His appointment signals Beijing's strategic recalibration as it prepares to handle the complex and escalating trade dynamics with Washington.
The Trump administration, while pressing ahead with tariff escalations, has maintained that it is up to China to take the next steps toward resolving the current trade impasse.
