Washington (Rajeev Sharma): President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose a 100 percent tariff on all goods imported from China, in response to Beijing’s tightening of rare earth exports critical to U.S. industries.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump declared that the new tariffs would take effect by November 1, 2025, or possibly sooner if China makes additional moves that the U.S. deems hostile to its economic interests. The proposed measure would come on top of current trade duties already in place from his previous administration.
“This will be in addition to the tariffs currently being paid,” Trump stated, referring to levies first introduced during his presidency as part of a broader strategy to counter China’s trade practices.
The announcement has stirred concern among economists and market analysts, who fear that such an aggressive step could reignite a trade war, strain global supply chains, and increase costs for American consumers and manufacturers. Some have warned that the threat of steep new tariffs could rattle markets and potentially lead to a downturn in global trade activity.
Trump attributed the move to China’s recent decision to restrict the export of rare earth elements — materials essential to the production of electronics, military systems, and green energy technologies. The U.S. is heavily reliant on Chinese sources for these critical minerals.
In addition to the tariff warning, Trump ruled out any meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during an upcoming visit to South Korea, signaling a continued hardline stance on Beijing. “There’s no reason to meet with Xi,” Trump said Friday, making it clear that diplomatic engagement is not currently on his agenda.
While Trump holds no formal power to enact trade policy at this time, his comments carry weight as he remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential race. His remarks are being closely watched by global markets and foreign governments alike, as they provide insight into his potential policy direction should he return to office.
Neither the Biden administration nor Chinese officials have issued an immediate response to Trump’s statement. However, the situation is likely to remain under close scrutiny as both nations navigate a fragile economic and geopolitical relationship.
