White House says tariffs of up to 245% on China isn’t an increase from 145% – previous tariffs factored in

Shortly after the White House said in a statement that “China faces up to a 245% tariff on imports to the United States as a result of its retaliatory actions,” it has now clarified that the figure is not an increase from the 145% announced a few days ago.

The fact sheet mentioning the 245% rate that was posted on April 15, 2025 appears to have been edited to provide further context. It now states that the 245% is made up of a 125% reciprocal tariff, a 20% tariff to address the fentanyl crisis as well as Section 301 tariffs on specific goods of between 7.5% and 100%.

As such, the 245% represents not just new tariffs introduced during United States president Donald Trump’s second term, but also those put in place by the Biden and first Trump administrations. It should also be noted that not all Chinese-made goods entering the US will be taxed at 245%.

The U.S. started the #tariffwar. China took necessary countermeasures to protect our rightful interests and international fairness and justice.

If the U.S. truly wants a negotiated solution, it should quit using maximum pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing China and seek… pic.twitter.com/C9kCytIOrt

— CHINA MFA Spokesperson 中国外交部发言人 (@MFA_China) April 16, 2025

“China is not willing to fight (such a war), nor is it afraid of fighting. If the US genuinely wants to solve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, it should give up its approach of imposing extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing, and engage in dialogue with the Chinese side on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” said China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian in response to the 245% tariff, reports China Daily.

According to USA Today, the US already imposed large tariffs on some Chinese products of up to 100% before Trump started announcing new tariffs this year. Electric vehicles (EVs) are already subject to a levy of 100% since the Biden administration, for example.

On the mention of a product of the automotive industry, Trump announced a 25% tariff on cars imported into the US effective April 3, with the rate also applicable to imported car parts from May 3. However, Trump was reported recently as saying that he might temporarily exempt the auto industry from tariffs he to provide automakers time to adjust their supply chains.

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