By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
In a bold escalation of the trade standoff, the United States has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to a staggering 245 percent, up from 145 percent, following what the White House described as China’s retaliatory trade measures.
The move comes amid a widening rift between the world’s two largest economies, with China earlier imposing up to 125 percent duties and halting exports of critical materials vital to aerospace and defense industries.
President Donald Trump has also ordered a national security probe into America’s reliance on imported minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, citing threats to the nation’s economy and defense infrastructure.
Despite the mounting tension, China posted a surprisingly strong 5.4 percent GDP growth in the first quarter of 2025, although Chinese officials cautioned against looming global economic challenges.
Trump remains firm, insisting that China must take the first step in peace talks, as he continues to push for reciprocal tariffs aimed at boosting American manufacturing and safeguarding jobs.
