BEIJING — On Tuesday, China announced the implementation of additional tariffs of up to 15% on significant imports from the United States. This move targets key agricultural products including chicken, pork, soy, and beef.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry declared that these tariffs would come into effect starting March 10, sparing goods already on their way until April 12. This decision follows President Donald Trump’s directive to increase tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, which was enforced on Tuesday, alongside a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
As per the ministry’s notice, U.S. products such as chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton will be hit with an added 15% tariff. Meanwhile, tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, and other protein and produce categories will rise by 10%.
Simultaneously, Beijing expanded its ‘unreliable entity list’ with 10 more U.S. companies. These firms are now prohibited from participating in import or export activities related to China and from making new investments within the country. Companies may also face restrictions if their products have dual military and civilian applications.
The latest additions include firms like TCOM, Limited Partnership, Stick Rudder Enterprises LLC, and Huntington Ingalls Industries, among others. Moreover, China has listed 15 American companies, including aerospace and defense entities such as General Dynamics and General Atomics, on its export control list, limiting their export of dual-use goods.
A ministry statement specified, “China has determined to include 15 U.S. entities that threaten China’s national security and interests in the export control list, barring the export of dual-use items to them.”
Despite the substantial tariffs on American agricultural products, China refrained from applying higher tariffs universally. “Both sides showed restraint,” explained Sun Chenghao, an international relations scholar from Beijing’s Tsinghua University.
“The U.S. still aims to secure a favorable trade deal with China,” Sun added. “Long-term negotiations are conceivable, yet the current climate is unfavorable.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, commented that by raising tariffs, America has responded to goodwill with hostility.
“The Chinese people have historically stood resilient against malevolent forces and bullying,” Lin asserted.
China stands as a significant consumer of U.S. agricultural products despite declining purchases during Trump’s trade war initiation, with recovery in subsequent years. In 2024, China imported $24.7 billion worth of American farm goods, comprising 14% of its $176 billion in total agriculture imports. Mexico and Canada ranked first and second, respectively, as importers of U.S. farm products.
The Chinese Commerce Ministry’s notice detailed additional 15% tariffs on about two dozen U.S. farm exports, including chicken feet, while listing 711 goods for an extra 10% tariff.
During the 2021-22 period, the U.S. witnessed unprecedented export values to China for commodities like soybeans, corn, and beef, as reported by the Department of Agriculture. U.S. agricultural exports to China totaled $33.8 billion in fiscal 2023 and $36.4 billion in fiscal 2022.
China is enhancing its agricultural import sources, increasing soybean purchases from countries like Brazil and Argentina.
Xu Botao, director of research at Shanghai’s GoGlobal Institute, signaled Beijing’s readiness to retaliate. “Neither the Chinese government nor its businesses will capitulate under unjust U.S. trade pressures,” Xu asserted.
The endgame hinges on Washington’s approach to Beijing, analysts highlight.
“Presently, the U.S. has yet to extend constructive engagement. U.S. endeavors should avoid exacerbating tensions,” Sun advised.
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Agricultural Imports
