The ongoing trade war between China and the United States has escalated further as China announced additional tariffs on select American imports, effective March 10. The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council revealed the new tariffs in a statement on Tuesday, signaling a sharp response to recent U.S. trade measures.
According to the announcement, China will impose an additional 15% tariff on imported chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton. Meanwhile, sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products will face an extra 10% tariff. These additional tariffs will be applied on top of the existing tariff rates, and current bonded policies, as well as tax reduction and exemption measures, will remain unchanged.
This move comes in response to the U.S. government’s decision on Monday to levy an additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports. Washington justified the tariff hike by citing concerns over fentanyl, but Beijing condemned the decision, arguing that it undermines the global trading system and places undue pressure on American businesses and consumers.
“The unilateral tariffs imposed by the U.S. not only harm the economic and trade cooperation between our two nations but also place an additional burden on American enterprises and consumers,” the Chinese Customs Tariff Commission stated.
To provide a buffer for businesses already in transit, China has announced that goods shipped from the port of origin before March 10 and arriving in China by April 12 will be exempt from the new tariffs.
Trump’s Trade Policies and Second-Term Tariff Strategy
Since assuming office for his second term in January 2025, President Donald Trump has intensified his hardline stance on trade with China, reigniting economic tensions between the two nations. As part of his administration’s “America First” policy, Trump has aggressively pursued tariff measures, arguing that they are necessary to correct what he claims are unfair trade practices by China.
One of Trump’s first major trade moves after re-entering the White House was reintroducing sweeping tariffs on Chinese goods, following through on campaign promises to curb Chinese imports and boost domestic manufacturing. The additional 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, announced on March 3, 2025, marks a significant escalation, with the administration citing national security concerns and China’s role in the fentanyl crisis as key justifications.
Trump’s renewed trade policies mirror those from his first term, during which he imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods. However, this time, the administration has expanded its focus to include technology restrictions and increased scrutiny of Chinese investments in the U.S. market.
While Trump argues that these tariffs protect American industries and jobs, critics warn that they could lead to higher costs for consumers and provoke retaliatory measures from China, as seen in Beijing’s latest tariff announcement. Analysts suggest that the ongoing trade war could disrupt global supply chains, weaken business confidence, and heighten market volatility.
