Washington, April 10, 2025 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has implemented a steep increase in tariffs on Chinese imports, raising the total rate on many goods to a staggering 145%, the White House confirmed on Thursday.

As part of this move, Trump has imposed a new 125% tariff on a wide range of Chinese goods. This new rate is layered on top of a 20% tariff introduced earlier this year, which the administration said was in response to China’s alleged involvement in the fentanyl supply chain. Combined with legacy tariffs from previous administrations, the total effective rate now hits 145% on affected goods.

However, the latest tariff hike includes several key exemptions. Items such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles are not part of this specific increase. These products already face separate 25% duties under existing trade regimes.

Trump’s tariff escalation is aimed at what Washington has called “unfair trade practices” by Beijing. Despite the sharp rhetoric and increased duties, officials have clarified that certain categories—including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, lumber, copper, and energy products—are not yet affected by the new 125% rate, though future action may still target them.

In a surprising twist, the White House also announced a 90-day pause on fresh tariffs for dozens of other countries, signaling a more targeted approach as Trump focuses pressure squarely on China.

This dual-track strategy underscores a renewed focus on reshaping America’s global trade relationships while directly confronting its top economic rival. While markets and analysts digest the implications of such steep duties, U.S.-China trade tensions continue to intensify, leaving businesses and consumers on edge over potential supply chain disruptions and rising costs.

With global eyes on Washington, this latest tariff hike marks one of the most aggressive economic moves of the year—and a defining moment in Trump’s ongoing trade strategy.

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