China Retaliates Against Trump by Imposing a 34% Import Tariff on US Goods

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The recent implementation of import tariffs by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, has directly sparked tension in global trade relations. One of the countries most affected is China.

This country is facing high tariffs imposed by the US on its goods. In response to this policy, China did not stay silent and issued a strong response. This trade conflict has the potential to worsen the economic relationship between the world's two largest economies.

Tariff Amount

The tariffs imposed by the United States are significant and involve nearly all of its trading partner countries. As quoted from The Guardian, the US imposes a 10 percent tariff on most imported goods, including goods from China, Mexico, and Canada.

However, countries with closer trading relations with the US are subject to higher tariffs. One of them is China, which is subject to a 34 percent tariff, making the total tariff applicable to Chinese goods this year 54 percent.

Meanwhile, goods imported from countries such as the European Union are also subject to higher tariffs, namely 20 percent. This policy clearly has a very significant impact on international trade and is one of the most drastic measures in US trade policy during the Trump era.

Long-Planned

This policy was actually planned several months ago. In February 2025, the White House announced that the additional tariffs would be imposed in response to issues of illegal immigration and drug smuggling, especially fentanyl, involving several countries including China.

Trump argued that by imposing these tariffs, the United States wants to press related countries to take more responsibility in addressing these issues, which are considered a threat to national security.

The basic 10 percent tariffs were implemented on April 6, 2025, while the higher tariffs on countries like China took effect on April 9, 2025.

Furthermore, this policy also includes the removal of tariff exemptions for low-value packages of goods from China, which previously could enter the US duty-free. This step aims to reduce the amount of imports from China that are considered detrimental to the domestic economy of the US.

China's Response

The US tariff policy was not left unchallenged by the Chinese government. China immediately took a series of retaliatory measures. One of the main steps taken was the implementation of a 34 percent import tariff on all goods imported from the United States.

As quoted from CNA Lifestyle, China also tightened its exports of some rare raw materials that are highly needed by US industries, such as rare earth minerals used in high technology and electronic products.

The Chinese government considers this tariff policy as unfair and detrimental to both parties. The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Jiakun, stated on one occasion that the "market has spoken". This indicates that China sees it as a wrong and detrimental move.

China urged the US to open a dialogue and seek a fairer solution to resolve this trade issue. Some Chinese trade associations issued strong statements, emphasizing that these tariffs could worsen inflation in the US and affect consumer purchasing power there. They also stressed that this policy has the potential to harm the already fragile global economy due to the pandemic.

This conflict has the potential to disrupt the stability of the global economy and complicate the resolution of trade issues between the two largest countries in the world. In response to this policy, China is clearly trying to protect its economic interests while seeking alternative markets to reduce the negative impact of the US tariff policy.

Editor's Choice: China Takes Countermeasures in Response to High US Import Tariff Increase

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

List of Countries Affected by Trump's Highest and Lowest Import Tariffs

41 menit lalu

Today's Top 3 News: Thousands of Anti-Trump Protests Held Across US; France and Indonesia Expand Partnership

11 jam lalu

Trump's High Tariff Impact: All Countries Feel the Heat Except for These 4

11 jam lalu

US Congressman to Impeach Trump Within 30 Days

12 jam lalu

USAID Team Fired While in Myanmar Earthquake Zone

12 jam lalu

ByteDance Still Negotiating with US Over TikTok's Fate

13 jam lalu

Netanyahu, Trump to Discuss Import Tariffs at the White House on April 7

16 jam lalu

Thousands of Anti-Trump Protests Held Across US

19 jam lalu

Facts about Trump's Import Tariff Policy: Reasons, Impacts, and Indonesian Govt's Stance

20 jam lalu

China Takes Countermeasures in Response to High US Import Tariff Increase

21 jam lalu