The Donald Trump administration has announced that China will now face a 245 percent tariff on all imports from the United States. This comes after Beijing responded with retaliatory measures in the ongoing trade war, which has already caused disruptions in global markets and shaken investor confidence. In a fact sheet released late Tuesday, the White House stated that this decision was made to increase pressure on China, escalating tensions between the two nations.

The White House announced that on Liberation Day, President Donald Trump put a 10% tariff on all countries that have high taxes on the United States. However, the tariffs were paused after more than 75 countries contacted the US to discuss new trade agreements. “The individualised higher tariffs are currently paused amid these discussions, except for China, which retaliated. China now faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions,” the White House said in its statement. The tariffs placed on China, along with those on other countries on Liberation Day were part of Donald Trump’s continued "America First" trade policy. 

The United States imposed a 145 per cent tariff on China, and in response, China retaliated by imposing a 125 percent tariff on US goods. This led to increased tensions between the two countries and caused instability in global stock markets. Additionally, Beijing banned the export of certain goods that are used by aerospace manufacturers and military contractors. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the US started the trade war and that the government is still taking a serious stance on tariffs in the wake of the recent imposition of 245 per cent US tariffs on the nation. 

According to local media, Lin stated that "you can ask the US side for the specific tax rate figures" in response to a question regarding the new tariffs. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is willing to make a trade deal with China, but she emphasised that Beijing should take the first step. “The ball is in China’s court: China needs to make a deal with us, we don’t have to make a deal with them,” Leavitt told a press briefing, saying Trump had given her that statement directly in an Oval Office meeting to use. “China wants what we have … the American consumer, or to put another way, they need our money,” Leavitt said.