April 4, 2025 (CE Noticias Financieras) –
China announced on Friday (4) that it will impose tariffs of 34% on products from the United States (US) from April 10, the same level as those imposed this week by President Donald Trump against Chinese imports.
In addition, the Chinese government announced restrictions on the export of rare minerals, known as rare earths, and banned the export of "dual-use" items, civilian and military, to 16 US companies, measures also seen as retaliation for Trump's tariffs.
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The Chinese announcement comes two days after the US imposed tariffs of 34% on all Chinese imports, aggravating the trade war started by the US.
After announcing the 34% tariff, China 's State Council Tariff Commission also called on the US to "immediately cancel its unilateral tariff measures and resolve trade differences through consultations in an equal, respectful and mutually beneficial manner".
The Chinese government argues that the US practice is not in line with international trade rules and harms China's interests.
"It is a typical practice of unilateral bullying that not only harms the US's own interests, but also jeopardizes global economic development and the stability of the production and supply chain," it added.
Also on Friday, China's Ministry of Commerce announced restrictions on certain items related to rare minerals, known as rare earths, which are of strategic value to high-tech industries.
"The measures, which take effect immediately, are aimed at better protecting national security and interests and complying with non-proliferation and other international obligations," said a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, according to Chinese news agency Xinhua.
The third measure announced banned exports to 16 US entities of materials that could be used in the civilian and military sectors "to safeguard national security and interests".
Harsh
The measures are a harsh response from Beijing to Washington, capable of damaging Trump's political and electoral base, according to Elias Jabbour, an expert on China and professor of economics at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ).
"It's a blow. Until then, China had responded in a timely manner. These new tariffs have a huge impact on the interests of American companies operating in China. Almost all of them operate in China and depend on the Chinese market to make a profit," he said.
Jabbour added that the tariffs are likely to cause inflationary pressure, "something that Trump doesn't have much ability to control in the short term".
The economist also pointed out that the US depends on rare earth minerals, which are used to make chips and other high-tech equipment.
"China exports a lot of rare earths to the United States. So it has that impact. That's why Trump wants Ukraine, Greenland," he concluded.
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