More Reckless, Trump Threatens To Increase Chinese Import Tariffs Again To 245 Percent

China's DOCUMENTATION/President Xi Jinping with US President Donald Trump at a bilateral meeting in 2018 at the G20 Buenos Aires

JAKARTA - There is endless retaliation in the trade war between the United States and China. The US has now announced that China has the potential to face new tariffs of up to 245 percent as a result of the retaliatory actions it takes against the US.

The latest administrative order from the White House, revealed late Tuesday, has launched an investigation into national security-related imports of vital resources. The order also includes an explanation for the reciprocal rates announced on April 2.

"China is now facing a tariff of up to 245 percent for imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions," said the White House as reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Wednesday, April 16.

"More than 75 countries have contacted to discuss new trade deals. As a result, individual higher rates are currently suspended during discussions, except for China, which has retaliated," he continued.

The statement added that a few months ago China banned exports to the United States from excavating, germanium, antimony, and other important high-tech materials that could potentially have military applications.

"Just this week, China suspended exports of six rare heavy earth metals, as well as rare earth magnets, to stop supply of critical components for automakers, aerospace companies, semiconductor companies, and military contractors around the world."

The statement did not clearly explain the amount of the tariff imposed on China, but hinted that the tariff could reach up to 245 percent.

China raised the tariff on imported goods from the US to 125 percent last Friday in retaliatory measures against Trump, who previously raised the US tariff on Chinese goods to 145 percent while imposing a 90-day gap over plans for tariffs on goods from other countries.