Tariff War Escalates: U.S. Announces 100% Tariffs on All Chinese Imports

According to Reuters, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced today on social media that beginning November 1, 2025, the United States will impose an additional 100% tariff on all Chinese imports, which will stack on top of existing tariffs. He stated that this move is a response to China’s recent tightening of rare earth export controls and may be accompanied by new export restrictions on critical software.

China Retaliates with “Special Port Fees” on U.S. Vessels

In response, China announced that starting October 14, any ship flying the U.S. flag, operated by U.S. companies, built in the U.S., or with substantial U.S. capital ownership will be subject to a special port fee of RMB 400 per net ton, gradually increasing to RMB 1,120 per net ton. Each vessel will be charged this fee up to five times per year. Chinese authorities described the move as a “reciprocal countermeasure” to the U.S. port fee policy on Chinese vessels.

Meanwhile, the U.S. policy imposing port fees on Chinese-built, owned, or operated ships is also being refined. According to recent reports, the U.S. will begin collecting port fees on October 14, with the total annual amount projected to reach USD 3.2 billion by 2026. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) noted that the scope and standards of these fees may be adjusted to balance domestic shipbuilding interests with international shipping pressures.

Tariff Tensions Deepen Between China and the U.S.

The overall China-U.S. tariff standoff is intensifying. The United States has confirmed that from 2025 it will maintain and expand high tariffs on Chinese products in key high-tech sectors such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and batteries — with EV tariffs remaining at 100% and lithium batteries and critical minerals ranging between 25% and 50%.

In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it would take “necessary countermeasures,” potentially targeting chemicals, agricultural goods, and U.S.-made automobiles. After compounding the taxes, Chinese exports to the U.S. could face an effective tariff rate of around 130%, while U.S. exports to China could see overall tariff levels approaching 40% after China’s 15–25% retaliatory duties.

This new round of tariff escalation heightens bilateral trade tensions and poses tangible challenges for global supply chains and logistics enterprises such as Hanyue International — including freight rate fluctuations, customs clearance complexities, and shifting client orders.

At this critical juncture, exporters and shippers must reassess their export structures, supply chain resilience, and compliance risks.Hanyue International will continue to closely monitor policy developments, optimize market strategies, and prepare contingency plans to help clients maintain flexibility and resilience amid volatility.For the latest policy updates or customized solutions, please contact our service team.

*Tariff Calculation Example:
Total Tariff = 1 + Existing Tariff + Additional Tariff = 1 + 30% + 100% = 130%
Final Price = Original Price × (1 + 0.30) × (1 + 1.00) = Original Price × 2.30