How will China respond to Donald Trump’s new tariffs?
$16 billion in Chinese imports to be hit with 25% tariff in two weeks

The Trump administration has announced a further round of tariffs on Chinese imports, escalating a mounting trade war that has raised concerns among US businesses that the cost of goods for American consumers is set to rise.
According to the US Trade Representative’s Office (USTR), a total of 279 Chinese products will attract tariffs, down from an initial list of 284 products that was published on 15 June.
CNBC reports that the latest list “brings to about $50 billion in goods that now face a 25% tariff”, noting that “semiconductors, among the largest categories, remained on the list”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Bloomberg reports that the $50 billion total could increase soon, with the USTR “reviewing 10% tariffs on a further $200 billion in Chinese imports, and is even considering raising the rate to 25%”, which may come into effect on 6 September.
The move comes despite vows from China that it will impose tit-for-tat tariffs on US products, including meat, coffee and automobile parts, and complaints from Beijing accusing the US of “trade blackmail”.
“In violation of the bilateral consensus reached after multiple rounds of negotiations, the United States has again unilaterally escalated trade frictions,” the Chinese State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement.
The announcement comes after Donald Trump took several swipes at China over the weekend, including telling a rally that he holds the advantage over China, and that playing hardball on trade is “my thing”.
“Tariffs are working big time. Every country on Earth wants to take wealth out of the US, always to our detriment. I say, as they come, tax them, If they don’t want to be taxed, let them make or build the product in the US. In either event, it means jobs and great wealth,” Trump said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Trump calls Amazon's Bezos over tariff display
Speed Read The president was not happy with reports that Amazon would list the added cost from tariffs alongside product prices
-
How the US bond market works – and why it matters
The Explainer Donald Trump was forced to U-turn on tariffs after being 'spooked' by rise in Treasury yields
-
Why does the US need China's rare earth metals?
Today's Big Question Beijing has a 'near monopoly' on tech's raw materials
-
Who would win in a China-US trade war?
Today's Big Question Tariff pain will be higher for China but Beijing is betting it can weather the storm
-
Lesotho: the tiny African nation in the crosshairs of Trump's tariff war
Under the Radar US president imposes 50% reciprocal levy on the impoverished state: the highest of his so-called 'Liberation Day' tariffs
-
What is the job market's future after Trump's tariffs?
Talking Points Economic analysts are split on what the tariffs could mean for employees
-
Is this the end of globalisation?
Today's Big Question American-led post-war order is 'finally starting to crumble' but that could bring about 'a more inclusive world'
-
How could stock market slides affect you?
Today's Big Question Pensions, prices and jobs at risk as Donald Trump's 'Liberation Day' measures take hold