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
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

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

EU delays US trade countermeasures until August: Von der Leyen

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

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

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

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