In a major escalation of the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, President Donald Trump’s administration has imposed a sweeping new tariff of up to 245% on Chinese imports. The announcement, made through a White House fact sheet, signals a strong response to Beijing’s recent export restrictions on vital high-tech materials. The administration accused China of tightening control over rare elements like gallium, germanium, and antimony—key to sectors such as defense, aerospace, and semiconductors—by suspending their exports. According to officials, the move is part of Trump’s “America First Trade Policy,” aimed at reducing dependency on strategic foreign materials.

This latest development comes in response to China’s retaliation last week, when it raised tariffs on US goods to 125% following Trump’s earlier hike to 145%. While other countries have been granted temporary relief due to ongoing trade negotiations, China remains singled out for punitive measures. The White House stated that more than 75 nations are already in talks for new trade deals, and as such, additional tariffs on non-Chinese goods are paused for 90 days. The administration further revealed the launch of a national security investigation into the reliance on foreign imports for critical supply chains, reinforcing the urgency of self-reliance in sectors deemed vital to US security.

President Trump, now in his second term, continues to champion aggressive trade policies, asserting that they are essential for protecting American workers and industries. “On Day One, President Trump initiated his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again,” the statement read. While the exact products affected by the new tariff remain unspecified, analysts predict a wide-reaching impact across both consumer and industrial goods. The escalating tit-for-tat between the world’s two largest economies has reignited concerns over global supply chain disruptions, inflation, and geopolitical instability.