China Hits Back with 34% Tariff on All U.S. Imports

• Apr 04, 2025

China has announced that it will begin imposing a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports starting April 10, 2025.

This move comes in direct response to a recent decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to introduce a similar 34% tariff on Chinese exports as part of what he termed a “Liberation Day” policy on trade. According to a statement released Friday by China’s Commerce Ministry, the new tariff is meant to match the U.S. rate and is part of a wider effort to counter what Beijing sees as unfair trade practices.

In addition to the tariffs, China also plans to tighten export controls on rare earth materials, which are essential components in high-tech products like electric vehicle batteries and computer chips. These materials play a key role in global manufacturing, especially in the production of clean energy and defense technology.

The Chinese government said it has also placed 27 companies on a new list of firms facing trade sanctions or export restrictions. Out of these, 16 firms will be banned from receiving “dual-use” goods—items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. Notable names on the list include High Point Aerotechnologies, a defense technology company, and Universal Logistics Holding, a U.S.-based logistics and transportation company.

China’s Ministry of Commerce strongly criticized the U.S. tariffs, accusing Washington of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. In a formal complaint filed with the WTO, Beijing stated that the U.S. measures severely undermine the global trade system and the economic rights of WTO member states.

“The United States’ imposition of so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ seriously violates WTO rules... and is a typical unilateral bullying practice,” said the Commerce Ministry. “China firmly opposes this.”

Earlier in February, China had already placed a 15% tariff on U.S. imports of coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as a 10% duty on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles.

The newly announced 34% tariff will now apply broadly to all American-made goods entering the Chinese market, signaling rising tensions in the ongoing U.S.-China trade conflict.