China Hits Backs At US Tariffs, Impose Its Own on US Goods

Escalating its trade war with the US, China on Friday became the first country to respond to the US President Donald Trump’s decision and imposed tariffs on Chinese imports into the country by announcing new tariffs on the American products by 34% which will come into effect from April 10.

In a statement, the Chinese Finance Ministry also urged the US to immediately lift its unilateral tariff measures and resolve its trade differences through consultations in an equal, respectful and mutually beneficial manner.

The Chinese Finance Ministry said that on 2 April 2025, the US government announced the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the US. This practice of the US is not in line with international trade rules, seriously undermines China’s legitimate rights and interests, and is a typical unilateral bullying practice.

“In accordance with the Tariff Law, Customs Law, the Foreign Trade Law and other laws and regulations and the basic principles of international law, and with the approval of the State Council, additional tariffs will be imposed on imported goods originating from the US from 10 April 2025,” the statement said.

Accordingly, a 34% tariff will be imposed on all imported goods originating from the US on the basis of current applicable tariff rate, the current bonded, tax reduction and exemption policies remain unchanged, and the additional tariffs will not be reduced or exempted, and if the goods have been shipped from the place of departure before 12:01 on 10 April 2025, and are imported between 12:01 on 10 April 2025 and 24:00 on 13 May 2025, the additional tariffs prescribed in this announcement will not be levied.

US Firms Too

The China’s Commerce Ministry also imposed restrictions on 16 US companies and rare earth exports to an export control list banning them from acquiring Chinese products designated as dual-use, for civilian and military purposes.

“These entities have behaved in a manner that may jeopardize China’s national security and interests, and no export operator is allowed to violate the above-mentioned provisions,” it said in a statement.

Furthermore, The Commerce Ministry also put 11 other US companies on an unreliable entity list, effectively blacklisting them alleging that they were carrying out so-called military technology cooperation with Taiwan despite China’s strong opposition.

The Commerce Ministry also announced that it is imposing export controls on seven types of rare earth minerals. They include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium.Even the China’s Customs department also suspended some farm product import qualifications for several American companies.