Trump threatens 100 % tariffs on China
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning that the United States will impose a 100 percent tariff on imports from China beginning November 1, 2025, unless China changes its recent trade practices. The tariffs would be added on top of existing duties. Trump made the announcement on his social media platform, calling China’s recent export controls on rare earth minerals and tech components “hostile” and asserting that Beijing’s actions threatened U.S. industries.
In addition to the tariff threat, Trump said his administration will introduce export controls on “any and all critical software” and indicated possible controls on airplane parts. He linked the moves to China’s new rules restricting the export of rare earth materials, which are essential for electric vehicles, electronics, and defense systems.
His announcement also cast doubt on a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit in South Korea. Trump stated that “there seems to be no reason” to meet under the current climate, though he did not formally cancel the engagement.
The financial markets reacted quickly and negatively. The S&P 500 fell by about 2.7 percent, marking its largest one-day drop since April, as investors scrambled amid fears of renewed trade escalation.
Analysts warn that if the tariffs take effect, they could reignite a full-blown trade war between the world’s two largest economies. The proposed measures stand to disrupt global supply chains, raise costs for U.S. manufacturers, and invite retaliatory actions from China.
