The White House has issued a warning on the imposition of tariffs that could reach up to 245% to imports of merchandise from China, as part of the reprisals in the commercial war between both powers.
Details of tariffs and commercial measures
According to the information published by President Donald Trump’s office, this 245% tariff would be the result of the sum of the 125% reciprocal tariff, the 20% tariff to address the fentanyl crisis, and tariffs for specific products under section 301, which vary between 7.5% and 100%. The 1974 United States Commerce Law authorizes the president to take measures, including tariff and non -tariff reprisals, to eliminate unjustified or discriminatory acts of foreign governments that hinder US trade.
Negotiations of new commercial agreements
In a positive turn, it is highlighted that «more than 75 countries have already contacted new commercial agreements.» This has led to the pause of the implementation of the highest tariffs, announced on April 2 and scheduled to enter into force on April 9, while these negotiations are ongoing, with the exception of China, which took reprisals.
China and the United States reactions
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has criticized the accumulation of tariffs on Chinese products exported to the United States, reaching 245%, qualifying the measure as irrational. China has expressed its position against the unilateral increases of tariffs by the United States and has warned that it will ignore this approach.
For its part, China has made it clear that, if the United States continues to violate its rights and interests, the Asian country «will firmly fight until the end.»