U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, effective November 1, marking the most dramatic escalation yet in the ongoing U.S.–China trade war.
The move comes in direct response to Beijing’s new export controls on rare earth elements, critical minerals used in advanced electronics, defense systems, and renewable technologies. Trump said the measure would apply “over and above any tariff they are currently paying,” accusing China of “weaponizing” its control over vital materials.
China swiftly condemned the decision, calling it a “reckless provocation” that threatens global trade stability. The country’s Commerce Ministry warned that Beijing “will take all necessary countermeasures,” though it stopped short of outlining specific actions.
Financial markets reacted sharply to the announcement, with U.S. stock futures dipping and Asian markets sliding amid fears of renewed trade disruptions. Analysts warn that the tariff hike could send shockwaves through global supply chains already strained by shortages in critical materials.
The rare earth dispute has reignited tensions that had cooled since Trump’s return to the White House. The president, however, framed the move as a defense of U.S. manufacturing and national security, saying, “America will not depend on China for materials that power our future.”
With just weeks until the new tariffs take effect, global attention now turns to how China will respond, and whether the world’s two largest economies can avoid another full-scale trade war.
