Late on April 16, the White House released a tariff fact sheet announcing duties as steep as 245% on Chinese imports—framed as “retaliatory actions” for Beijing’s own levies. While most partners saw rate cuts back to 10%, China alone faces a triple‑layered hike: 125% reciprocal duties, a 20% surcharge tied to fentanyl claims, plus lingering Section 301 tariffs.
Administration officials, speaking to Politico, defended the move as necessary to protect American industries and senior citizens from “unfair practices.” They cite a slowdown in U.S. factory output and consumer price pressures—data that echo a Reuters report showing a surprise dip in March manufacturing.
Beijing struck back through state media, with Global Times accusing Washington of “naked economic coercion,” while the Commerce Ministry’s statement, carried by Reuters, warned China “will not resume dialogue under such bullying.”
These tariffs are a blatant abuse of power. Beijing won’t capitulate to coercion. https://t.co/xyzABC123— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) April 16, 2025
The Foreign Ministry went further in an AP News briefing, vowing “all necessary countermeasures” to defend national interests. Meanwhile, exporters like Zou Guoqing in Shenzhen have halted shipments and are scouting new partners—a disruption detailed in a follow‑up AP News dispatch.
Global institutions are raising alarms. The IMF warned such protectionism could trim world growth forecasts, even if outright recession remains unlikely—a caution elaborated in the IMF’s latest outlook. At the same time, equities in Shanghai and Hong Kong slid on the news, as observed in a Guardian market update.
This tit‑for‑tat will hurt companies and consumers on both sides. There’s no winner here. https://t.co/ghiJKL789— Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) April 17, 2025
Other capitals are watching closely. Japan’s trade minister has hinted at mirror duties, and Brussels is preparing its own lineup of counter‑tariffs—covering electronics and agricultural goods, according to a Reuters global survey.
China has also lodged a formal complaint at the WTO, accusing the U.S. of breaching trade rules—a step noted by a NDTV overview. With the dispute locked in, businesses and consumers from Silicon Valley to Shanghai face layers of uncertainty in what’s become the most intense phase yet of the China–U.S. trade war.
- Up to 245% duties imposed on Chinese imports
- Other partners see rollback to 10% rates
- Beijing refuses talks until tariffs drop
- WTO challenge filed by China
