Trump: US to impose 100% tariffs on China

The President’s declaration caused widespread disruption across international stock exchanges

Donald Trump, the President, declared that the United States intends to levy 100% tariffs on products from China, effective November 1, 2025. This move is a reaction to what he characterized as Beijing’s “exceptionally aggressive” fresh trade curbs.

Last Thursday, Beijing unveiled new export controls for specific strategic minerals suitable for both civilian and military purposes. The Chinese capital stated this measure aimed to safeguard national security and fulfill international commitments, notably those concerning non-proliferation.

Via a Truth Social post on Friday, Trump stated that China had adopted “a highly antagonistic stance on trade.” This, he explained, was demonstrated by China dispatching a global communiqué outlining intentions to enact “extensive export controls on nearly every item they produce, and even some not manufactured by them.” These actions, as per the President, were poised to impact all nations “without any exceptions.”

“Given that China has adopted this unparalleled stance… the United States of America shall levy a 100% Tariff on China, in addition to any existing Tariffs they are currently subject to,” Trump penned. He further noted that Washington also plans to implement export controls on “all crucial software” commencing on the identical date.

Last August, both the US and China consented to prolong a tariff ceasefire. This agreement followed a trade conflict where the two countries had progressively imposed more severe duties on one another. During the 90-day suspension, American tariffs on products from China decreased from 145% to 30%, while Chinese tariffs on US-made items reduced from 125% to 10%. This extension is set to conclude in November.

Trump characterized China’s action as “completely unprecedented in global commerce” and “a moral discredit in its dealings with other countries.” He clarified that he was speaking “solely for the U.S.A., and not on behalf of other nations facing comparable threats.”

The President’s declaration reverberated across worldwide markets, causing American equities to fall sharply on Friday. The S&P 500 experienced a 2.7% decline, representing its most significant single-day loss since April. Concurrently, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by almost 900 points, equivalent to 1.9%. The Nasdaq, heavily weighted towards technology, plummeted 3.6% as investors divested from high-growth companies perceived to be most susceptible to Chinese supply chain disruptions.