34 Percent Tariff on US Imports Starting April 10 Chinese Trade Faces New Challenges

On April 4, 2025, the State Council Tariff Commission announced a significant policy shift: starting April 10 at 12:01 PM, all imports from the United States will face an additional 34% tariff on top of existing rates. This decision, approved by the State Council, reflects China’s adherence to key national and international legal principles.

Key Details:

• No exemptions: The additional tariff does not apply to goods under bonded or tax-reduction policies, but the new tariff will not be waived under any circumstances.
• Grace period for goods in transit: Imported goods that depart from the origin before April 10, 2025, and arrive in China between April 10 and May 13, will not be subject to the additional tariff.

In 2024, China imported goods worth ¥11,640.61 billion from the US. The top ten categories included mechanical and electronic products (23.17%), agricultural and food products (16.33%), and energy products (14.12%). Key mechanical items included semiconductors (7.21%), engines (4.57%), and semiconductor equipment (2.74%).

Energy imports accounted for 14.12%, led by liquefied propane/butane (7.11%), crude oil (3.68%), and LNG (1.48%). Meanwhile, chemical goods (12.62%) featured organic/inorganic chemicals (3.84%) and vaccines (3.44%).

In strategically essential fields, China depends on US imports for advanced materials like EUV photoresists, Inconel alloys for jet engines, and high-purity electronic gases. Other key imports include fuel cell membranes and biodegradable polymers.

This tariff shift could have profound implications for industries reliant on these high-tech imports, posing challenges for China’s supply chains while emphasizing the need for domestic innovation.