The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering a sharp increase in trade duties on goods from China - from the current 145% to 245%. This was reported by the White House press service, emphasizing that the new round of escalation is caused by Beijing's retaliatory measures to the recent increase in American tariffs. According to the official statement, the decision is aimed at protecting the national security and economic stability of the United States, but has already raised concerns among experts who predict a further escalation of the trade war between the two largest economies in the world. The specific timing of the introduction of new duties has not yet been specified, but the White House is signaling its readiness for tough measures if China does not change its trade policy.

Earlier, on April 9, 2025, Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%, but the next day the US authorities clarified that the actual level was 145%. In response, China increased tariffs on American goods from 84% to 125% and imposed a ban on the export of rare earth metals and magnets, which play a key role in the production of cars, semiconductors, aerospace technology and military equipment. This move by Beijing, as indicated in a White House statement, became a catalyst for preparing new restrictions that could affect a wide range of Chinese products - from electronics to industrial components.

The trade war between the US and China, which began in 2018, has reached a new peak. According to Reuters, in March 2025, the US expanded tariffs on Chinese goods, including batteries and critical minerals, which led to an increase in the prices of electronics and cars in the States. China responded with mirror measures, restricting access of American companies to its market. As Bloomberg reports, Beijing’s ban on rare earth metals has already caused a crisis in American industry, with shares of companies such as Tesla and Lockheed Martin falling by 3-5% in a week. Analysts estimate that China controls up to 80% of the world’s supply of these materials, which makes its sanctions especially painful.

The economic impact of the escalation is being felt on both sides of the Pacific. According to The Wall Street Journal, raising tariffs to 245% could increase the cost of Chinese goods in the U.S. by 20% to 30%, hurting American consumers already facing 6,2% inflation through 2024. In China, where economic growth has slowed to 4,5%, the new tariffs threaten export-oriented industries that account for about 18% of GDP. China’s Ministry of Commerce has said it is prepared to file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), accusing the U.S. of violating international trade rules, according to the South China Morning Post.