China has hit back at the United States’ recent tariffs by announcing a series of countermeasures, including a substantial 34 percent tariff on all U.S. goods and new export restrictions. The move, unveiled on Friday, comes in response to the “reciprocal tariffs” imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council declared that the additional tariffs will take effect from April 10. This significant increase affects all products imported from the United States, signaling a firm stance from Beijing in the escalating trade tensions.
In addition to the tariffs, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced several other measures. China has filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over the issue, seeking a resolution through international trade laws. The ministry has also added 11 U.S. companies, including drone manufacturer Skydio, to its unreliable entity list, restricting their business operations within China.
Further tightening trade, China has banned the export of dual-use items to 16 U.S. entities, including High Point Aerotechnologies. These items have both civilian and military applications, and the ban reflects increasing concerns over technology and security.
China is also initiating an anti-dumping probe into imports of medical computed tomography (CT) tubes originating from the U.S. and India. A separate industrial competitiveness investigation into broader imports of medical CT tubes is underway, potentially leading to further trade restrictions.
Moreover, the Ministry of Commerce and the General Administration of Customs have jointly announced export control measures on certain items related to seven types of medium and heavy rare earths. Rare earths are crucial components in many high-tech products, and this move could impact global supply chains.
The General Administration of Customs has suspended import qualifications for products of six U.S. companies due to inspection and quarantine issues with their goods. This action further limits the presence of U.S. products in the Chinese market.
The U.S. stock market reacted sharply to China’s announcements. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped over 1,000 points in early trading on Friday, and the S&P 500 fell by 2.8 percent, marking one of its worst days since 2020.
The escalation in trade measures between the world’s two largest economies has drawn global attention. Young people around the world are watching closely, as the outcome of these tensions could have significant impacts on international trade, economies, and job markets.
