In fresh trade war, Trump announces new 100% tariffs on China

US President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Beijing, announcing a fresh round of 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods in what marks a new phase of the long-running US-China trade war.

Trump’s Friday announcement is in addition to the 30 percent tariffs already in effect. It will start on November 1 or sooner.

The president’s decision was in response to China’s decision to place export controls on its critical rare earths.

China holds the largest reserve of rare earths, which are critical to manufacturing electronics, clean energy technologies, and the defense industry.

The Chinese ministry of commerce on Thursday said the export controls would safeguard national security and interests.

Trump described the measure as “extraordinarily aggressive” and “extremely hostile”.

“It is absolutely unheard of in international trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other nations,” he added.

“Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position, and speaking only for the U.S.A., and not other nations who were similarly threatened, starting November 1st, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China), the United States of America will impose a tariff of 100% on China, over and above any tariff that they are currently paying.”

Trump said the US will also impose export controls on all critical software.

Electronics are among the top goods China exports to the US.

As the trade war between the two countries escalated, Trump had issued an exemption for electronics, making them subject to 20 percent tariffs instead of the general 145 percent tariffs imposed on Chinese goods.

Subsequently, China reduced its levies on American exports to 10 percent from 125 percent, while the US lowered its rates to 30 percent from 145 percent.

Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were supposed to meet in South Korea later this month.

However, in a Truth Social post after his fresh tariff announcement, Trump said he no longer saw a reason to do so.