China to Raise Tariffs on US Imports to 125% Starting 12th... Direct Countermeasure (Update)

AFP Yonhap News

The Chinese government decided to raise the tariff rate on U.S. imports from the previous 84% to 125% starting from the 12th. As China decided to directly counter the U.S. government's cumulative tariff measure of 145%, concerns are growing that trade friction between the two countries will intensify further.

The Tariff Commission of the State Council of China announced on the 11th a notice regarding the adjustment of tariff imposition measures, stating that the tariff rate on U.S. imports will be raised to 125% starting from the 12th. The Chinese government claimed, "The U.S. imposing excessively high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, goes against basic economic principles and common sense, and is completely unilateral harassment and coercive behavior." It further emphasized, "Even if the U.S. raises tariffs additionally in the future, China will ignore them."

Earlier, the U.S. Trump administration announced on the 10th (local time) that it had recalculated the cumulative tariff rate on China to 145%. This figure combines the 20% tariff imposed over China's fentanyl response issue with a 125% reciprocal tariff. In response, China, which had started imposing retaliatory tariffs of 84% on the U.S. the day before, also raised the tariff rate further and took non-tariff measures such as advising against travel and study in the U.S. and reducing imports of American films.