Ayanangsha Maitra
THROUGH A CASCADE of reforms on both the domestic and global fronts, President Donald Trump’s honeymooning administration of the US has been rapidly setting a legacy built on a personalized vision of governance and a rebranded nationalism – Make America Great Again. Tariffs, President Trump’s most favoured tool of economic statecraft, serve as both the emblem of this approach and its proving ground—nowhere more vividly than in his stance toward China. The announcement of 245 per cent tariff on China is just a threat to the nation alone but to other competitive economies as well.
For the uninitiated, the US goods trade with China rose to $582.4 billion in 2024. On the other hand the US goods imports from China in 2024 valued $438.9 billion, up 2.8 percent ($12.1 billion) from 2023, according to the secretariat of USTR. In 2024, the US recorded a goods trade deficit of $295.4 billion with China.
When President Donald Trump declared “the ball is in China’s court,” he cast the trade war in the language of sport—poised between chess-like strategy and the fluid urgency of football or cricket. China, like a batsman under hostile bowling or a team defending in extra time, faces the burden of response amid shifting rules and uneven ground. Yet in such high-stakes game, success lies not merely in reaction, but in redefining the field itself. While announcing such a move, the US administration accused Beijing of deliberately restricting main high-tech materials—such as gallium, germanium, and antimony—critical to the military, aerospace, and semiconductor sectors. In a retaliatory move, China intensified its control by suspending exports of six heavy rare earth metals and rare earth magnets.
🇨🇳 Victor Gao: “China is making sure that the U.S. gets the message. If you want to impose war on China, you get war. If you want to destroy China, you get destroyed… China won’t be pushed around. We will fight to the end, peacefully or otherwise.
— COMBATE |🇵🇷 (@upholdreality) April 17, 2025
President Xi Jinping’s South East State Visit
Over a state dinner in Malaysia, Chinese President Xi Jinping called China a collaborative partner ready to stand with Southeast Asia amid tensions over trade. During his five-day state visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia—economies likely affected by U.S. tariffs—Xi pushed a message of free trade, regional unity, and economic cooperation.
Backed by China’s manufacturing power and control over key rare earth exports, Beijing signed new deals, including a joint railway project with Vietnam and increased market access for Vietnamese goods. On the other hand, China has been expanding diplomatic outreach to Europe, Japan, and South Korea to avoid isolation and stabilize supply chains. While the U.S. enters the trade war from a defiant economic position, China has been quietly preparing for years—leveraging diplomacy, trade, and strategic resources to counter U.S. hegemony in the trade.
How Much on What?
The newly announced US tariffs represent one of the most aggressive trade actions in recent years. This has hard-hitting consequences for consumers as well as businesses. Aimed primarily at curbing Chinese imports and boosting domestic production, the tariff hike impacts a wide range of products—from essential medical supplies to electronics and garments. As per The New York Times, the updated tariff structure includes some eye-popping figures: syringes and needles face a massive 245% tariff – while lithium-ion batteries are hit with 173%. Even seafood like squid isn’t spared, slapped with a 170% tariff. Clothing items such as woolen sweaters now carry a 169% tariff, and household goods like plastic dishes and toasters are taxed at 159% and 150% respectively.
High-tech and electronics items also take a hit. Electric vehicles are subject to a 148% tariff, toys and puzzles at 145%, and semiconductors—critical for nearly all modern devices—are taxed at 70%. Even daily-use items like aluminum foil (75%), car wheels (73%), and door hinges (67%) are affected. Even Laptops, now carry a 20% tariff.
A 245-percent tariff will make it impossible for China to sell to its largest market – the costs on both economies will be unimaginably high. But China is defiant and ready to fight whatever Washington announces. China under Xi Jinping has indeed mastered the art of negotiating trade terms and diplomacy, leveraging both strategic diplomacy and economic muscle to its advantage.
China’s diversification away from U.S. agricultural products extends well beyond soybeans, encompassing a broad range of farm goods and other key commodities. Amid trade war, Beijing’s strategic move involves shifting import sources, boosting domestic production, and employing trade and regulatory measures to reduce reliance on the U.S. and enhance food and energy security.
China has systematically reduced imports of several major U.S. agricultural products by sourcing from alternative countries and increasing domestic output:
Corn and Sorghum: China has sharply cut U.S. corn imports, which fell from $2.6 billion in 2023 to $561 million in 2024, while increasing purchases from Brazil, which has become China’s top corn supplier. Sorghum is also imported as a corn substitute, often from countries other than the US.
Meat and Poultry: Imports of U.S. beef, pork, and poultry have been curtailed significantly, with Beijing imposing tariffs and non-tariff barriers. For example, beef and poultry exports from the US to China have been halted or sharply reduced through these measures. China has also increased domestic livestock production and diversified meat imports from other markets.
Wheat and Barley: China imports wheat and barley partly for animal feed, with barley imports rising due to its use in feed and brewing.
In a strategic move, Beijing has diversified cotton imports. Vegetable oil sourcing from Russia and other countries have also been part of this diversification strategy. Imports of dairy items and aquatic goods have been affected by tariffs and trade policies immensely. China is booting up domestic production and sourcing from alternative suppliers to reduce dependency on the U.S.
Fruits and Vegetables are also included in China’s tariff hikes and import levies on U.S. products, encouraging diversification toward other countries.
China is increasing LNG imports from Russia, Qatar, Australia, and Malaysia while sharply reducing U.S. LNG imports due to tariffs and trade barriers. For instance, no U.S. LNG was imported in March 2025, with Russian LNG exports to China rising by 3.3% in 2024.
Crude Oil and Natural Gas: China sources crude oil mainly from Saudi Arabia and Russia, and natural gas from multiple countries to avoid dependence on any single supplier or route, enhancing energy security.
Since 2018, China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $21 billion worth of U.S. agricultural and food products, including soybeans, corn, sorghum, wheat, meat, aquatic products, cotton, fruit, dairy, and vegetables.
Food Security Laws: Implementation of robust food security laws aims at reducing waste and increasing domestic production capacity to lessen import dependence.
China has strengthened import arrangements with countries like Brazil, Russia, and others in Latin America and Asia to replace U.S. agricultural products and energy supplies.
The U.S.–China trade war under President Donald Trump has reached a turning point in global trade. The 245 percent tariff on Chinese goods shows the U.S. taking a strong stand to protect its industries and adjust the trade deficit. But China is not backing down. Instead, it’s roaring loudly. From the domains like food and energy to key materials across high-value sectors as well as essential ones, China is working to build long-term strength. This trade conflict is not just about numbers or tariffs -it is about setting the rules of the game in geoeconomics.
[ Ayanangsha Maitra is New Delhi based Editor, Contents, COGGS]
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