Trump Threatens New Tariffs on China Amidst Trade Tensions
Former President Donald Trump has announced a potential 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods, suggesting this could take effect “sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China,” effectively reinstating an embargo similar to one in the spring. The U.S. and China had reached a temporary easing of tensions in late May, yet tariffs remain significantly higher than pre-dispute levels, with average duties on Chinese imports currently around 55 percent. This includes a 10 percent reciprocal rate, a 20 percent tariff concerning fentanyl trafficking, and additional tariffs enforced during Trump’s presidency, reports 24brussels.
During a White House event, Trump indicated he may still attend a crucial meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for late October in South Korea, ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. “I haven’t canceled, but I don’t know that we’re going to have it,” Trump remarked, adding, “But I’m going to be there regardless, so I would assume we might have it.”
Trump further hinted he might withdraw his tariff threat if China retracts its planned new export controls, stating, “That’s why I made it November 1st.” His comments came after he posted on Truth Social, alleging that China is informing nations worldwide about its intentions to restrict exports related to rare earth production.
In his post, Trump highlighted concerns that such actions could create significant disruptions in global markets, stating, “Nobody has ever seen anything like this but, essentially, it would ‘clog’ the markets, and make life difficult for virtually every country in the world, especially for China.” He emphasized the need to limit China’s influence over rare earth exports crucial for various high-tech and medical products.
Trump asserted that if Beijing continues on its current path, “the U.S. has monopoly positions also, much stronger and more far reaching than China’s.” He mentioned potential U.S. restrictions on aircraft parts exports to China, emphasizing their dependency on American-made goods, particularly from Boeing.
Negotiations for a major sale of Boeing aircraft to China, led by U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue, are now in jeopardy due to escalating tensions between the two nations. The Chinese Embassy has not responded to requests for comment regarding the ongoing situation.
Trump’s recent social media remarks may signal the end of a fragile trade truce established since May. This suggests that China’s tightening control over critical mineral supplies is complicating U.S. efforts to reduce trade frictions before the Xi-Trump meeting. Craig Singleton, senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted, “This week’s export-control expansion looks like a miscalculation — what Beijing sees as leverage, Washington views as betrayal,” highlighting the precarious balance both nations must navigate.
Recent trends indicate a dramatic reduction in U.S.-China trade, with imports from China plummeting to $194 billion in the first seven months of 2025, down from $239 billion during the same period the previous year. Simultaneously, U.S. exports to China dropped from $82 billion to $65 billion, signaling a deepening economic rift.
Agricultural exports, particularly soybeans, have faced substantial setbacks due to these tariffs, prompting the Trump administration to explore multibillion-dollar subsidies for affected farmers. As trade relations continue to erode, both countries may need to reconsider their strategies to avoid further economic confrontation.
