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China hits back with tariffs on U.S. goods

31 Comments
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Kevin Huang

China on Tuesday slapped tariffs on U.S. imports in a swift response to new U.S. duties on Chinese goods, renewing a trade war between the world's top two economies as President Donald Trump sought to punish China for not halting the flow of illicit drugs.

Trump's additional 10% tariff across all Chinese imports into the U.S. came into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.

Within minutes, China's Finance Ministry said it would impose levies of 15% for U.S. coal and LNG and 10% for crude oil, farm equipment and some autos. The new tariffs on U.S. exports will start on Feb 10, the ministry said.

China also said it was starting an anti-monopoly investigation in Alphabet Inc's Google, while including both PVH Corp, the holding company for brands including Calvin Klein, and U.S. biotechnology company Illumina on its "unreliable entities list".

Separately, China's Commerce Ministry and its Customs Administration said it is imposing export controls on tungsten, tellurium, ruthenium, molybdenum and ruthenium-related items to "safeguard national security interests". China controls much of the world's supply of such rare earths that are critical for the clean energy transition.

Trump on Monday suspended his threat of 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada at the last minute, agreeing to a 30-day pause in return for concessions on border and crime enforcement with the two neighbouring countries.

But there was no such reprieve for China, and a White House spokesperson said Trump would not be speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping until later in the week.

During his first term in 2018, Trump initiated a brutal two-year trade war with China over its massive U.S. trade surplus, with tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods upending global supply chains and damaging the world economy.

To end that trade war, China agreed in 2020 to spend an extra $200 billion a year on U.S. goods but the plan was derailed by the COVID pandemic and its annual trade deficit had widened to $361 billion, according to Chinese customs data released last month.

"The trade war is in the early stages, so the likelihood of further tariffs is high," Oxford Economics said in a note as it downgraded its China economic growth forecast.

Trump warned he might increase tariffs on China further unless Beijing stemmed the flow of fentanyl, a deadly opioid, into the United States.

"China hopefully is going to stop sending us fentanyl, and if they're not, the tariffs are going to go substantially higher," he said on Monday.

China has called fentanyl America's problem and said it would challenge the tariffs at the World Trade Organization and take other countermeasures, but also left the door open for talks.

Stocks in Hong Kong pared gains after China's retaliation.

“Unlike Canada and Mexico, it is clearly harder for the U.S. and China to agree on what Trump demands economically and politically. The previous market optimism on a quick deal still looks uncertain," said Gary Ng, senior economist at Natixis in Hong Kong.

"Even if the two countries can agree on some issues, it is possible to see tariffs being used as a recurrent tool, which can be a key source of market volatility this year."

© Thomson Reuters 2025.

©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.


31 Comments

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Trump will cave in like with 25% tariffs. For a bloke who loves Tariffs it seems like it a love hate relationship he got going because nothing else is working out for him LOL. How that War with Russia going?that right Trump sent more missiles. lol great way to end a war in 24 hour. He must mean 24 months lol. How that cost cutting going that right the federal judge told him he can’t do it with the law being changed. How the fentanyl imports going ? He won’t do nothing about the 200 billion of coke being imported because if that stop the financial sector, entertainment sector and the business sector would come to sudden halt overnight. It seem the USA needs it coke but not the fentanyl lol

5 ( +13 / -8 )

MAGA: "They'll cave soon, there's more of us than them!"

Bystander: "Actually their population is around four times ours"

MAGA: "Ooh, fancy-pants educated person thinks he knows things!"

17 ( +25 / -8 )

Washington is inciting anti-China sentiments by any means and play dishonestly.

It would be great if all these countries who have threatened would respond appropriately just like China did.

The problem is the US refuses to change and accept the fact that it’s no longer the sole hegemon.

Asia welcomes China because China is part of Asia, unlike the United States of America

-12 ( +9 / -21 )

Good job China!

3 ( +17 / -14 )

Ah here we go - the CCP throwing another tantrum because the someone won't let them flood the world with cheap knockoffs, slave labor goods, and, oh yeah, DEADLY ILLICIT DRUGS.

China's economy is already circling the drain, propped up by ghost cities, fake GDP numbers, and government propaganda, but sure, slapping tariffs on U.S. goods will totally show them!

Meanwhile, Xi's fan club in the West will keep defending a regime that censors its own people, locks up dissidents, and unleashes pandemics on the world. Enjoy your lead-filled exports and social credit scores, CCP bootlickers!

-17 ( +8 / -25 )

Way to go!

5 ( +13 / -8 )

Jay

 ghost cities, fake GDP numbers...

That's a great script :) That would a perfect text for next "Fantasy world" series, or a good manual on "how to fabricate the best US military transcripts for propaganda purposes". I did not read it after the second line cause if was already good enough :)

-8 ( +8 / -16 )

The US liberals (many of whom secretly admire China) will soon come here to cheer for China because of their hatred of Trump.

The fact is that China’s economy depends on exports more than the US economy. Tariffs might cause some pain to American consumers (and that too only if US importers are unable to find any alternate sources of imports) but it is a small price to pay for making China fall in line. And yeah, China can retaliate with tariffs of its own but I am sure there are other countries which will be eager to import American oil, coal, farm equipment and autos to reduce their own trade surplus with the US.

The fun is just beginning.

-13 ( +8 / -21 )

So, Donald is receiving the return-ticket again!

Sorry, not Donald, he and Elonia got it made already.

How about Mr. and Mrs. Miller, the Smith family. and so many others.

Those who voted for him actually don't deserve any better!!

7 ( +11 / -4 )

This tariff furor is all about MAGAtheatrics, a stage for the felon to play his "Fuehrer for a day" shtick. All sound and fury, signifying nothing, innit?

11 ( +16 / -5 )

Where they're demand, there will always be supply. The US should look in its own backyard.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

FosToday 04:18 pm JST

Asia welcomes China because China is part of Asia

How many times have you copy-pasted this now? Thirty? Forty?

I'll return the favor yet again:

...

What utterly ridiculous logic.

Does Asia welcome North Korea because it is in Asia? Did China welcome Imperial Japan because it was in Asia? Laughable.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

That's a great script :) That would a perfect text for next "Fantasy world" series, or a good manual on "how to fabricate the best US military transcripts for propaganda purposes". I did not read it after the second line cause if was already good enough :)

Yeah awesome, let's ignore the facts, call everything "Western propaganda," and then proudly admit we don't even read past no second lines. Also Tiananmen Square was just a peaceful gathering and the Great Firewall is there to "protect" people!

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

The problem is the US refuses to change and accept the fact that it’s no longer the sole hegemon.

The US is primary, that has not changed yet, but with the idiot felon in charge of America it may actually change.

Asia welcomes China because China is part of Asia, unlike the United States of America

Asia despises China because it wants power over everyone else in Asia.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

FosToday 04:18 pm JST

Asia fears China and that is the starting point of any conversation.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

EvilBuddhaToday 04:27 pm JST

The US liberals (many of whom secretly admire China) will soon come here to cheer for China because of their hatred of Trump.

I have yet to see a single Democratic congressperson not take a tough line on China. You don't see Democrats speculating about whether they would defend Taiwan.

8 ( +15 / -7 )

You didn’t have to be a genius to see that coming.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

If tariff is passed on to consumers then it's like levying additional tax to consumers whenever they buy the tariffed products.

US consumers will probably be more affected because US imports a lot more than China.

The govt would earn more however

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Another desperate attempt of 'some Americans' fixated with the anti-Beijing hysteria, worried their investments in Asia will turn into bad choices :)

For a start forget the warmongering in the Asian continent?

That would be the starting point of any conversation.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

anti-Beijing hysteria,

Haha, so funny for anyone to label China's continued hostile behavior within the Asia region, and beyond as if its imaginary. Clearly one of those within the CCP bubble who have not been on the receiving end of Chinese belligerence.

Lucky for you. Not so lucky for those effected.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

The US liberals (many of whom secretly admire China) will soon come here to cheer for China because of their hatred of Trump.

As a "US liberal", I would rather the US dealt with the rest of the world through mutual goodwill and good business sense, but that's clearly off the table right now when we have a walking 2 year old temper tantrum in charge. He already backed down on his tariff threat because he saw the markets (and his support among the non-brainwashed) take a nosedive, so the rest of the world understands that he's all talk.

If China can get one up on the US through outmanoeuvring them and taking advantage of the fact that Trump has no idea what he's doing, I'd find that quite amusing, especially the reactions of the people who voted for him because they genuinely believed that he had their best interests in mind.

If it takes China running rings around us, along with a substantial financial depression and all the associated things that come with it, to get it into peoples' thick skulls that republicans trash the economy pretty much every time they're in power, then that's what it will take. (This isn't even factoring in the fact that President Musk now has control over some of the most important databases in the country and nobody's trying to stop him).

7 ( +12 / -5 )

Lucky for you. Not so lucky for those effected.

I have not qualms whatsoever with China and no directed connections. We are against the warmongering of US administration, with their 800 military basis around the world and their hostile and hypocritical behavior, inciting conflicts from Eastern Europe to the Middle East, and their aim to turn the Asian continent into a powder keg. The world is not a safe place. we agree on that, we just have opposite views of who is responsible.

-8 ( +4 / -12 )

Has anyone watched the classic The Mouse That Roared? Hello Australia, 2025. Your Anglo friends are far away and your neighbors are Asian and doing well economically. What to do.

-6 ( +6 / -12 )

Oh my goodness, Mr T has certainly kicked over a hornets nest, not only has he annoyed the Mexicans, Canadians, Europe, and now China on the surface I can see what he's doing, but, has anyone told him about the potential repercussions, not only trade, tariffs, trust, working relations, let's see how this affects the financial markets

2 ( +8 / -6 )

Fos

Washington is inciting anti-China sentiments by any means and play dishonestly.

I thought you were good with anti-war Trump? Guess I was mistaken.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

RE; 15% for U.S. coal and LNG and 10% for crude oil, farm equipment and some autos.

This is what they across a shot across the bow.

China has kept the big weapon in reserve,

American agricultural products are the biggest vulnerability.

If US produce is kept out or become unappealing due to high prices, there are plenty of countries ready to step in.

US farmers know this.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

This is indicative of several things: China will be much harder for Washington to push around as it only excels in bullying smaller countries, standing over their neighbours and intimidating their so-called allies, who have spent so much time mindlessly vassalizing themselves, they don't have the first clue. But when confronted with a country that actually is sovereign and able to push back, that template won't work for the hegemon. Watch

As the world transitions from the dying, thrashing stages of the unipolar to a genuine multipolar world, it is countries like China and other BRICS countries that are standing tall with public decency against this failing empire, which is increasingly, squeezing their own vassals and proxies like oranges because they lack sovereignty.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Jay

In your honorable view what is the advantage of living in a “FREE SOCIETY” and the alleged permission to criticize their leaders, when things are getting from bad to worse (i.e. Biden policies on Israel Trump policies on the Gaza sea resort, and I leave out the recent economic turmoil). 

The narrative about the “evil control” in China is quite risible, I must say, and I would suggest you check first hand rather than forwarding manipulated information for the usual “well known” purposes. China is not a liberal democracy, but it does not attack Western values like America conflict after conflict.

On one thing you are right: the US government aren't saints. But this is the first time that somebody in your camp is admitting it. So far we only read of heroes and villains. I don’t see the middle ground.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

It is certainly true that anti-China sentiment is accelerating in the West, and pro-China movements are spreading in developing countries such as Africa. However, the presence of China in Asia, including Japan, is only a negative for most countries.

Countries that recognize China as a hegemonic power are only those that are extremely pro-China, and it cannot be said that China has surpassed the United States in terms of economic, military, or political power.

A large part of America's debt has arisen from trade with China, so it is natural in a sense to try to reduce it. One of the roles of the government is to protect domestic industry and protect the jobs of its citizens.

This would not change even if China was a communist nation, a country that oppresses its own people and is said to be a late imperialist nation.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

The one policy Biden and Trump agree on, the government of China is a clear and present global threat peace danger, trade, the brotherly love/support of fellow despot dictatorships, Russia, North Korea, Iran, a menace to its own people.

If JT will allow me I would like to introduce you a friend and occasional correspondent confident.

Why CHINA was the WORST and the BEST travel of my life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pHv5O0aMYM&t=406s

I believe Eli appraisals of this recent trip to Shanghai and Beijing open honest, and give a insight to life in China

We hear from politicians, I think personally some alternative impute provides more balanced insight .

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

looks like a more sophisticated tariff by china compared to trump’s tariffs. it’s hard to see much impact on china, since the tariffs are on things china can easily secure from other sources.

a 15% tariff on u.s. pickup trucks isn’t a big deal. chinese domestic light truck sales are surging anyway, plus chinese exports of light trucks are rising quickly to countries other than the u.s.

the u.s. has had a 25% tariff on all imported light trucks since the 1960’s.

restricting exports on rare earths is a reverse tariff, making the u.s. pay more. china has been building mineral sources and its supply chain for more than a decade, while the u.s. wasn’t. long term thinking vs. short term thinking.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

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