China Hits Back with 34% Tariffs on US Goods, Escalates Trade War

China has announced sweeping 34% retaliatory tariffs on all US imports starting April 10, following a fresh wave of tariff hikes unveiled by former US President Donald Trump earlier this week. The move is a direct response to what Beijing has condemned as “unilateral bullying” and a violation of international trade norms.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce declared the retaliatory tariffs on Friday, the same day Trump’s new tariff regime was reported to increase levies on Chinese goods to over 60%, when combined with previous duties.

In a bold countermeasure, Beijing also introduced export controls on medium and heavy rare earth materials—critical components in the production of computer chips and electric vehicle batteries—effective April 4.

“The purpose… is to better safeguard national security and interests, and to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation,” China’s commerce ministry stated.

In addition, 27 US companies have been blacklisted under China’s updated trade sanctions and export control lists.

WTO Action Looms: China announced it will file a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization (WTO), further intensifying the global trade standoff.

Trump’s aggressive new tariff package includes:

• 34% on China

• 46% on Vietnam

• 26% on India

• 25% on South Korea

• 20% on the EU

• 10% on the UK

• 49% on Cambodia

“Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years… but it is not going to happen anymore,” Trump said while defending the tariffs.

According to Bloomberg, these changes could push average US tariffs on Chinese goods to 65%, combining both new and pre-existing duties carried over from Trump’s first term and the Biden administration.

The announcement has rattled global markets, raised fears of supply chain disruptions, and intensified concerns over a full-blown trade war between the world’s two largest economies.