In a bold escalation of the ongoing trade war, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed a sweeping new tariff of up to 245% on Chinese imports, citing national security concerns and retaliation over China’s recent export restrictions.
The White House, in a fact sheet released late Tuesday, said the tariffs come in direct response to Beijing’s curbs on vital high-tech materials. “China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions,” the statement noted, underscoring Trump’s commitment to his ‘America First Trade Policy.’
The administration accused China of weaponizing its control over critical raw materials. These include gallium, germanium, and antimony—key elements used in semiconductors, aerospace, and defense systems. The latest Chinese restrictions, announced this week, further suspend exports of six heavy rare earth metals and rare earth magnets, materials essential for industries such as automotive, tech manufacturing, and military hardware.
“A few months ago, China banned exports to the United States of gallium, germanium, and antimony,” the statement said. “Now, they’ve gone a step further, suspending rare earth materials that power everything from EVs to fighter jets.”
The tariff hike is the most aggressive yet, signaling heightened tensions between the world’s two largest economies as they compete for dominance in the global tech and defense landscape.
