By Deborah Nnamdi
President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100% tariff on all goods imported from China, marking a sharp escalation in trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump said the new measure—set to take effect on November 1 or sooner—would be added to the existing 30% tariff already imposed on Chinese imports.
“The United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” Trump wrote. “Also, on November 1st, we will impose Export Controls on any critical software.”
According to reports by CNN, the new tariffs would target a wide range of products including electronics, apparel, and furniture, which make up some of the largest categories of Chinese exports to the United States.
The move follows Beijing’s decision to tighten export controls on rare earth minerals, a crucial component in electronics and clean-energy technologies. Analysts view the measure as part of an intensifying strategic and economic rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
The announcement also appears to have halted a planned meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which was expected to take place later this month in South Korea.
Markets reacted swiftly to the news, with investor sentiment rattled by fears of a renewed trade war reminiscent of the tariff surges that once pushed duties on Chinese goods to as high as 145%.
Economists warn that the new tariffs could disrupt global supply chains and raise prices for American consumers, while further straining diplomatic ties that had only recently shown signs of easing.
