White House clarifies Trump’s tariff on most goods imported into the US from China is 145%, not 125%

White House clarifies Trump’s tariff on most goods imported into the US from China is 145%, not 125%

On Thursday (April 10, 2025), the White House clarified that the overall tariff imposed on most goods imported into the United States from China is actually 145%, reports The New York Times.

This comes after US president Donald Trump said on Wednesday (April 9) that tariffs on China would be increased to 125% after Beijing retaliated against his previous levies. The White House explained that the 125% stacks on top of the 20% announced by Trump in March this year. At the time, Trump said China did not take adequate steps to reduce the influx of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, to the US.

As for the 125% levy, it is a cumulation of several tariffs announced by Trump since he took office in January this year. It is (presumably) made up of an individualised reciprocal tariff of 34% announced on April 2 (dubbed ‘Liberation Day’) as well as a retaliatory 50% announced on April 7. The remaining 41% is most likely part of the hike to 125% announced by Trump on April 10.

China’s levy on all US goods currently stands at 84%, which includes a 34% tax in response to Trump’s reciprocal tariffs and another 50% after Trump threatened an additional 50%. The tariffs imposed by the US on China are already in effect since April 9, while China’s levies on the US started on April 10.

The 145% tariff that the US imposes on China is on top of other pre-existing levies that Trump announced previously, including a 25% tax on imported steel, aluminium, cars and cars parts, along with tariffs of up to 25% on certain Chinese goods imposed during Trump’s first term as well as various tariffs on certain products in response to violating US trade rules.

While China is going tit for tat with the US, other countries have been given some respite. On the same day Trump raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, he said more than 75 countries that “did not retaliate” will have their reciprocal tariffs postponed for 90 days. However, they will still face a 10% baseline tariff (announced alongside the reciprocal tariffs) as well as a 25% tax on aluminium, steel and cars during the pause.

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard's strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

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