Trump Imposes Additional 10% Tariff on Chinese Imports

Synopsis

President Donald Trump announced a new 10% tariff on Chinese imports due to ongoing Fentanyl trafficking, effective March 4. This follows previous tariffs aimed at curbing drug influx and undocumented migration. The reciprocal tariff system will also begin in April, impacting several trading partners, including India and the European Union.

Key Takeaways

10 percent tariff on Chinese imports announced.
Fentanyl trafficking cited as a major concern.
Tariffs begin on March 4.
Reciprocal tariffs to be implemented in April.
Impact on pharmaceuticals, especially from India.

Washington, Feb 28 (NationPress) President Donald Trump on Thursday declared an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from China, citing the ongoing flow of Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, into the US.

The illegal drug originates in China and crosses into the US via Canada and Mexico.

Previously, President Trump had indicated a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports if the nation did not curb the drug's influx, alongside a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico due to Fentanyl and the issue of undocumented migrants entering the US through their borders.

These tariffs, including the newly announced 10 percent tariff on China, will be implemented starting March 4.

Trump expressed on his social media platform Truth Social, "Drugs are still pouring into our Country from Mexico and Canada at very high and unacceptable levels."

He further stated, "A significant portion of these drugs, primarily in the form of Fentanyl, are produced and supplied by China."

Noting that over 100,000 people succumbed to Fentanyl use last year, he remarked, "We cannot permit this epidemic to continue harming the USA. Thus, until it is curtailed, the proposed TARIFFS set to commence on MARCH 4 will be enforced as planned. An additional 10 percent tariff will also be applied to China on that date. The April 2 Reciprocal Tariff will remain in effect."

Under the reciprocal tariff policy, which kicks in April, the US is anticipated to impose equivalent duties on imports from trading partners that match those levied on US exports by these nations.

Trump has frequently mentioned India as a potential target for reciprocal tariffs.

He has also indicated intentions to raise duties on pharmaceuticals, a move that could significantly impact India, the second-largest supplier of medicines, mainly generic, to the US after China. However, specific timelines for this adjustment have yet to be disclosed.

Earlier this week, the US President pledged to impose 25 percent tariffs on the European Union, asserting that the bloc was "formed to screw the United States," although specifics remain limited. Duties will be broadly applied, Trump stated, "on cars and various other goods."