US government confirms 245% tariff on select Chinese imports

The White House has confirmed that a 145% on Chinese goods isn't the highest levy that can be applied, as some types of goods are hit with a 245% tariff.

US government confirms 245% tariff on select Chinese imports
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TL;DR: The White House confirmed that tariffs on Chinese goods can exceed 145%, with some products subject to rates as high as 245%. This clarifies that 145% is not the maximum levy applied to imports from China.

The United States and China are engaging in a tit-for-tat trade war, and currently, Chinese goods are facing a 145% additional fee when they enter the US, but the White House just confirmed that's not the total, as the tariff can reach up to 245%.

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On Tuesday this week, the White House shared a fact sheet about the newly announced trade tariffs with the goal of clarifying some of the confusion around what goods are subject to tariffs and what aren't, especially after Trump announced an exemption on select Chinese goods. Officials who have spoken to The Register informed the publication that the stated 245% fee isn't an error, and was intentional. So, how did we get the 245%? It's a combination of already established tariffs and President Trump's reciprocal tariffs.

According to the White House fact sheet, fentanyl-justified tariffs and prior tariffs implemented under Section 301 of the 1974 US Trade Act, China faces a levy of 245%, which is essentially at an embargo level as it wouldn't be beneificial for a company to send its products to US due to it either having to raise prices of its goods to levels beyond what consumers are willing to pay, or eat into its own profit margins beyond what is financially sustainable.

"China faces up to a 245 percent tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions," the fact sheet reads. "This includes a 125 percent reciprocal tariff, a 20 percent tariff to address the fentanyl crisis, and Section 301 tariffs on specific goods, between 7.5 percent and 100 percent."