March 4, 2025 (EIRNS)—On March 3, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that doubled tariffs on Chinese goods, from 10% to 20%. The action was blamed on China’s “failure” to stop fentanyl from coming into the U.S. “I have determined that the P.R.C. has not taken adequate steps to alleviate the illicit drug crisis through cooperative enforcement actions,” the order read.
China was not amused. They responded in turn by placing their own tariffs on certain types of U.S. goods, particularly agricultural products, covering 15% of U.S. exports to China. China halted soybean import qualifications from three U.S. exporters, the customs authorities said in a statement, as ergot and seed treatment agents were found on their products. An additional 15% tariff will be imposed on imported U.S. chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton, according to the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council. The measures were taken to safeguard Chinese consumers’ health and ensure the security of imported grain, the statement added. China has also sanctioned several U.S. defense companies. In addition, China’s General Administration of Customs decided to stop imports of U.S. lumber from March 4 after a recent detection of forest tree pests.
