Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Political aide to the governor of Gilan Province in northern Iran: Air defenses in Rasht shot down a small hostile drone flying over the city
Israeli media: The presence of General Qaani at the “victory celebrations” in Tehran puts an end to the rumors and earlier reports claiming he had been assassinated
Israeli media: There is division within the US administration itself over the extent of what the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities actually achieved
Israeli media: US intelligence also says Iran’s centrifuges remained largely intact
Israeli media: Netanyahu and Trump celebrated too soon, as US intelligence says Iran’s uranium stockpile was not damaged
Israeli Channel 13: The objectives set by Netanyahu for the operation against Iran have not been achieved
Early US intel assessment suggests strikes on Iran did not destroy nuclear sites, CNN reports, citing sources
Israeli media platform: An additional soldier has been confirmed killed in the serious incident in Gaza, who had previously been considered "missing" for some time
Pezeshkian: History will not forget how Iran’s enemies broke their pledges and agreements, resorting to aggression and invasion even during negotiations
Israeli media: Between 14 and 16 soldiers were injured in the incident, which reportedly involved two separate units at the brigade and division level

US raises tariffs on Chinese goods to 245%

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Apr 2025 19:45
4 Min Read

The new announcement suggests a 100 percent increase in US tariffs, though no formal breakdown has yet been offered to explain how the cumulative 245 percent figure is calculated.

Listen
  • x
  • Cargo ships are anchored in the Marmara sea as they await to cross the Bosphorus, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
    Cargo ships are anchored in the Marmara sea as they await to cross the Bosphorus, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 13, 2025 (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)

The trade war between the United States and China has intensified, with Washington announcing new tariffs that could see duties on Chinese imports soar to as high as 245 percent. The White House attributed the move to Beijing's "retaliatory actions," signaling a hardening stance in the ongoing economic conflict.

Alongside the tariff hike, US President Donald Trump authorized an investigation into the national security implications of America's dependence on imported critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements, which are key components in electric vehicle batteries and other technologies. The administration stated that this reliance leaves the country vulnerable to "serious, sustained, and long-term supply chain shocks" and introduces potential "risks to national security."

Previously, Washington had imposed a 145 percent levy on Chinese goods, while Beijing responded with a 125 percent tax on American exports. The new announcement suggests a 100 percent increase in US tariffs, though no formal breakdown has yet been offered to explain how the cumulative 245 percent figure is calculated.

In response, a senior Chinese official criticized the impact of US trade measures, stating they are placing "pressure" on China. Still, Beijing reported stronger-than-expected economic results for the first quarter, including 5.4 percent GDP growth, a 6.5 percent rise in industrial production, and a 4.6 percent boost in retail sales over the past year. Despite these positive figures, Chinese authorities warned that global economic conditions are becoming "more complex and severe" and emphasized the need for further efforts to bolster domestic consumption and growth.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian condemned Washington's approach, saying, "If the US really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop blackmailing and talk to China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit."

Related News

Chinese Vice Premier to visit UK for trade talks with US

Japan reports progress in US trade talks but no tariff agreement yet

Trump, for his part, insisted that Beijing must initiate any further talks. "The ball is in China's court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don't have to make a deal with them," he said, reiterating claims that China had reneged on a major Boeing agreement.

Tariff Spiral

Tariff reciprocity has been a recurring theme in Trump's economic messaging. He has frequently accused nations including China, India, and Brazil of imposing heavier duties on US goods than the US applies to their exports. Since early this year, his administration has introduced multiple new levies, including a general 10 percent tariff on several trade partners and specific charges on Chinese goods—among them, a 20 percent tax linked to fentanyl concerns and a 125 percent duty for what the US describes as unfair trade conduct.

The accumulation of tariffs had already pushed the total duty rate beyond 100 percent by early April, causing significant volatility in global financial markets. Although some measures have been temporarily paused, none of those suspensions have involved China.

China has responded with its own set of countermeasures, including halting imports of sorghum, poultry, and bonemeal, enforcing trade restrictions on 27 American companies, and filing a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization. The WTO has warned that the current standoff could have "severe negative consequences for the world," estimating a 0.2 percent drop in global merchandise trade in 2025, with possible downside risks reaching as much as a 1.5 percent contraction.

Read more: China says 'not afraid to fight' a trade war with the US

Seeking to build international support, Beijing has turned to other major economies. During a recent diplomatic engagement, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi encouraged deeper ties with India, proposing that the two nations "make elephant and dragon dance" and take joint leadership in opposing "hegemonism and power politics." China also extended an invitation to the European Union to cooperate in resisting "unilateral bullying" by the United States, reinforcing President Xi Jinping's call for a united defense of global justice and fairness.

  • US tariffs
  • tariffs
  • US
  • Trump administration
  • trade war
  • China

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
'Israel's' medical supply ban to Gaza threatens newborns' lives
Health

Gaza's newborns at risk as 'Israel' blocks baby formula, supplies

Tehran
MENA

Thousands rally in Tehran in support of Iranian Armed Forces

FT
Palestine

UK’s Co-op halts sales of Israeli carrots over rights violations

Israeli security forces inspect the site struck by an Iranian missile strike that killed several people, in Beer al-Sabe', Occupied Palestine, on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

In numbers: Iran's True Promise 3 devastates 'Israel' in 12 days

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS