The White House said China is facing up to a 245 percent tariff on imports to the U.S. "as a result of its retaliatory actions," as the trade war between the world's two largest economies continues to heat up.
The top potential tariff was referenced in a fact sheet published by the White House late on Tuesday. It accompanied an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that launched an investigation into the "national security risks posed by U.S. reliance on imported processed critical minerals and their derivative products."
A White House official told Newsweek the calculation reflects the maximum potential rate some Chinese goods could face, combining the reciprocal tariff, the fentanyl tariff, and existing Section 301 tariffs that go up to 100 percent.
Electric vehicles, for example, have outstanding Section 301 tariffs of 100 percent dating back to the Biden Administration, meaning these products would face a 245 percent rate in total.