The White House clarified on Thursday that China now faces a minimum tariff rate of 145 per cent on all imports to the United States. This follows President Trump's comments on Wednesday about increasing tariffs to 125 per cent after Beijing retaliated against his previous tariffs. The White House explained that the 125 per cent rate is in addition to an existing 20 per cent tariff on Chinese goods related to fentanyl exports to the US. China, the world's largest manufacturer of products such as cellphones, toys, and computers, is the US's second-largest source of imports. The 145 per cent tariff is just the base rate, with additional duties on top of previous levies, including: * 25 per cent tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars, and car parts * 25 per cent tariffs on certain Chinese goods imposed during Trump's first term * Varying tariffs on products violating US trade rules The rapid changes in tariffs have created uncertainty for importers, especially small businesses and major retailers relying on Chinese goods. The difference between a 125 per cent and 145 per cent tariff could result in thousands of dollars in additional costs for businesses. The Trump administration has exempted goods already in transit from the new tariffs, meaning importers will not incur them yet. Air shipments will be impacted in the coming days, while goods transported by ship will face tariffs in a few weeks. Attribution: The New York Times
