By Gavin Bade
China now faces U.S. tariffs of up to 245%, the White House said last night as it unveiled a probe into critical minerals. But that total appears to apply only to two types of goods-electric vehicles and syringes-and isn't new.
The figure comes from adding Trump's second-term China tariffs of 145% to previously existing levies. In his first term, Trump put 25% tariffs on Chinese EVs, which President Joe Biden increased to 100% last year, when he also imposed a matching tariff on Chinese syringes.
The 245% total does not reflect any new tariffs, then, but just reflects existing maximum charges. The White House "just now decided to add up" the total tariffs, an official said. The vast majority of Chinese goods face lower import taxes-though they are all significantly higher than anything seen in previous decades.
Some pre-existing tariffs are due to step up next year, such as those on medical rubber gloves. Such gloves will face combined tariffs of 245% from January.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 16, 2025 09:46 ET (13:46 GMT)
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