Trump Unveils 100% Tariff on China Imports Amid Rising Trade Tensions

In a significant escalation of trade tensions, President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will impose an additional 100% tariff on all imports from China. This measure is a direct response to new export controls that China plans to implement on valuable rare earth minerals, a critical component in various technologies. This recent move marks a renewed departure from a period of relative calm in trade relations, characterized by a truce between the two nations that had maintained consistent tariff levels for several months. The new 100% tariff will take effect on November 1, 2025, as confirmed by Trump, who also stated that his administration would introduce export controls on "any and all critical software," effective on the same date. “It is impossible to believe that China would have taken such an action, but they have, and the rest is History,” Trump stated in a post on Truth Social. The implications of these tariffs will mean an increase in the total tariff rates on Chinese goods from 30% to an unprecedented 130%. China, which holds a dominant position in the production of rare earth minerals, recently announced that it would tighten its export regulations, adding five more elements to its control list and including various refining technologies. The new regulations are set to require compliance from foreign companies that utilize Chinese rare earth materials. During press interactions, Trump suggested that there could be a possibility of lifting these tariffs if China reverses its export controls. “We’re going to have to see what happens. That’s why I made it Nov. 1,” he mentioned. Rare earth minerals are essential for the production of microchips and semiconductors, integral to artificial intelligence and electronic devices. Trump's announcement of additional tariffs sent the U.S. stock market into decline on the same day. Prior to the tariff announcement, Trump had described China's position as "extraordinarily aggressive." He noted that countries globally have received notifications from China regarding the imposition of stringent export controls on all facets of rare earth production, which he criticized as a “sinister and hostile move,” especially given China's monopoly over these resources. Trump elaborated, “This affects ALL Countries, without exception, and was obviously a plan devised by them years ago. It is absolutely unheard of in International Trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other Nations.” Related: Trump threatens China with 'massive' tariff hike, sees 'no reason' to meet with Xi In prior negotiations, Trump had implemented substantial tariffs across multiple countries, initially focusing on China. In August, to avoid escalating duties, the two nations had agreed to a truce, preventing tariffs on U.S. imports from China from increasing to 145%, which would have severely restricted trade. U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he returns to the White House post-exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 10, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno In his social media communications, Trump also expressed doubt about the potential for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, stating, “I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so.” Trump characterized China’s planned export controls as an act of “great Trade hostility,” asserting that it was an unexpected and aggressive shift in their trade policy amidst what he previously regarded as improving relations over the past six months. He remarked, “I have always felt that they’ve been lying in wait, and now, as usual, I have been proven right!” Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: <a href="https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news