On Friday, China announced a steep increase in tariffs on U.S. imports, raising them to 125%, its latest move in a growing trade dispute with President Trump. Meanwhile, U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have climbed to a total of 145%.
This sharp tariff hike will significantly raise the cost for Chinese companies to import American-made products, potentially cutting U.S. exporters off from one of their major international markets.
Earlier, President Trump stated his plan to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. He also proposed a temporary 90-day suspension of similar tariffs on other countries, reducing those to 10% in most cases. Additionally, Chinese goods face a 20% tariff tied to fentanyl-related concerns, pushing their total tariff burden to 145%.
In 2023, China ranked as the third-largest destination for U.S. exports—after Canada and Mexico—with American companies exporting $145 billion worth of goods to the country, according to the U.S.-China Business Council.
Data from 2022 shows that U.S. exports to China supported over 931,000 American jobs, most of which were driven by agricultural and livestock trade.
Among the top US exports to China in 2023 were oilseeds and grains, followed closely by oil and gas. However, exports of oilseeds and grains dropped by $7 billion from the previous year—and may continue to decline as trade tensions between the two countries escalate. These grain exports typically include soybeans, corn, and wheat.
1. Oilseeds and grains – $18.5 billion
2. Oil and gas – $17.6 billion
3. Pharmaceuticals and medicines – $11.3 billion
4. Semiconductors and components – $6.8 billion
5. Aerospace products and parts – $6.8 billion
6. Navigational and measurement instruments – $6.8 billion
7. Basic chemicals – $6.5 billion
8. Motor vehicles – $6.1 billion
9. Resins and synthetic fibers – $5.5 billion
10. Industrial machinery – $5 billion
11. Meat products – $4.5 billion
12. Medical equipment and supplies – $3.6 billion
13. General purpose machinery – $2.6 billion
14. Miscellaneous crops – $2.4 billion
15. Scrap products – $2.4 billion
16. Pulp and paperboard mill products – $2.1 billion
17. Miscellaneous manufactured commodities – $2.1 billion
18. Computer equipment – $1.8 billion
19. Non-ferrous metal products – $1.8 billion
20. Motor vehicle parts – $1.7 billion
21. Electrical equipment and components – $1.7 billion
22. Miscellaneous fabricated metal products – $1.6 billion
23. Plastic products – $1.4 billion
24. Engines and turbines – $1.4 billion
25. Electrical equipment – $1.3 billion
26. Communications and service industry machinery – $1.3 billion
27. Soaps, cleaning agents and toiletries – $1.3 billion
28. Fruits and tree nuts – $1.1 billion
29. Coal and petroleum gases – $1.1 billion
30. Marine products – $1 billion
31. Other – $15.9 billion
