US–China Trade War Erupts Again: Trump Slaps 100% Tariff on Chinese Imports
New York (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions between the United States and China have escalated once again after Beijing restricted the export of rare earth minerals crucial for American industries. In a sharp response, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, effective November 1, 2025. The new tariff will be applied in addition to existing duties, intensifying the long-standing trade rivalry between the two global superpowers.
Trump, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, called China’s move “an act of economic aggression.” He stated that the decision aims to safeguard American interests and ensure fair trade. The U.S. will also impose new restrictions on the export of critical software technologies, a step that could have far-reaching consequences for the global tech sector.
According to economists, the U.S. already levies significant tariffs on Chinese goods—with an average effective rate of about 40%, including 50% on steel and aluminum and 7.5% on consumer goods. The new policy will effectively double the cost of Chinese imports, dealing a fresh blow to bilateral trade.
Recently, Trump ruled out meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping during his upcoming visit to South Korea and warned that if China continues to curb rare earth exports, Washington would respond with even tougher measures. He accused Beijing of trying to dominate global supply chains and restricting access to metals essential for electronics, semiconductors, and high-tech manufacturing.
China, meanwhile, announced new export control regulations two days ago on rare earth minerals and related technologies, requiring foreign companies to seek special government approval before exporting any product containing these materials. Beijing defended the move as necessary for national security, asserting that these resources should not be used for military or sensitive purposes.
Experts point out that China accounts for around 70% of global rare earth mining and nearly 90% of its processing, giving it a dominant position in the market. Analysts warn that this renewed confrontation could disrupt global trade dynamics, particularly in industries reliant on rare earths such as electric vehicles, defense systems, and advanced electronics.