(MENAFN- Live Mint) US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States will impose a 100% tariff on imports from China,“over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” effective November 1 or sooner. In addition, the administration will impose export controls on“any and all critical software” from American firms. Trump said the measures were a direct response to China's new restrictions on rare earth elements, which he called“especially inappropriate”.

“Starting November 1st, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China), the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying,” he wrote. Trump also warned that the US would implement export controls on“any and all critical software.”

Trade tensions resurface

The US and China have previously engaged in a tariff-driven trade war, with rates reaching 145% on US imports and 125% on Chinese imports . Negotiations later lowered the rates to 30% and 10%, respectively , but tensions remain, particularly over rare earths, and advanced chips.

Trump condemned China's latest trade move, calling it“extraordinarily aggressive” and“a moral disgrace in dealing with other Nations.” Trump said China sent“an extremely hostile letter to the World, stating that they were going to, effective November 1st, 2025, impose large scale Export Controls on virtually every product they make, and some not even made by them.” He added that the move“affects ALL Countries, without exception, and was obviously a plan devised by them years ago.”

Historic implications for international trade

Trump emphasized the extraordinary nature of China's actions, saying,“It is absolutely unheard of in International Trade... It is impossible to believe that China would have taken such an action, but they have, and the rest is History.”

Response to China's rare earth export controls

Trump's announcement comes hours after China reportedly imposed new controls on exports of rare earth minerals, which are crucial for high-tech industries globally. Trump previously threatened to respond with“a massive increase” in tariffs on Chinese imports in retaliation for Beijing's latest trade restrictions.

Trump blasts China over hostile” trade move

Trump earlier in the day accused China of taking an“extraordinarily hostile” position on global trade . He said China is sending letters to countries worldwide to impose export controls on“each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths, and virtually anything else they can think of, even if it's not manufactured in China.” Trump described the move as unprecedented, warning it could“clog” markets and create difficulties for countries around the globe.

Trump condemns timing and intent

The US President criticized the timing of China's action, noting it coincided with a major peace breakthrough in the Middle East . He suggested the move might be strategically hostile:“The Chinese letters were especially inappropriate in that this was the Day that, after three thousand years of bedlam and fighting, there is PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST. I wonder if that timing was coincidental?”

US monopoly advantage

Trump emphasized that the United States holds strong monopoly positions in key elements, stronger than China's. He stated:“There is no way that China should be allowed to hold the World 'captive,' but that seems to have been their plan for quite some time... But the U.S. has Monopoly positions also, much stronger and more far reaching than China's. I have just not chosen to use them, there was never a reason for me to do so - UNTIL NOW!”

Impact on US-China relations

Trump revealed that he had planned to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in South Korea , but indicated the meeting may no longer be necessary given China's actions. He also noted that other leaders of the“Free World” were surprised by China's sudden trade restrictions.

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