Trump Raises Tariffs on China to 145 Percent

United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday that tariffs on Chinese goods will be raised to 125 percent—this doesn’t count the 20 percent tariffs added to Chinese goods due to its role in the fentanyl crisis. All totaled, tariffs on Chinese goods have been increased to 145 percent.

This marks the latest increase after U.S. tariffs on China jumped from 84 to 104 percent in just a few days. China has responded with 84 percent retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports.

“[T]he era of China enjoying U.S. market access with no consequence is over,” President Trump said on Wednesday. His administration emphasized the tariffs are meant to rebalance decades of unfair trade practices with China.

Ninety-day pause: On Wednesday, President Trump put a 90-day pause on his toughest tariffs for all countries that did not retaliate against the U.S. tariffs announced last week. The only country that has refused to retract its retaliatory tariffs is China, which Trump considers the worst offender of all.

We would love to be able to work a deal. [China has] really taken advantage of our country for a long period of time. They’ve ripped us off beyond anybody.
—Donald Trump

Trade war: The global stock market has plummeted and rebounded over the past week amid the constant changes in tariff announcements, damaging other nations’ trust in the U.S. as leader of the global economy.

Many of Trump’s admirers believe his moves are part of a calculated strategy that will force international trade deals more favorable to the U.S.

Whether the trade wars positively impact the U.S. economy or not, there are dangers President Trump doesn’t recognize. To learn about the only true solution, read “Trade Wars Are Here” in the April 2025 issue of the Philadelphia Trumpet.