New U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods came into effect on Tuesday, with China immediately announcing retaliatory tariffs on American imports.
China stated it would impose a 15% tariff on American coal and liquefied natural gas, as well as a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and some types of vehicles.
The U.S. measures include a 10% tariff on all Chinese goods, which President Donald Trump introduced in an effort to pressure China to take action to stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
Trump has identified China as a primary source of chemicals used by Mexican drug cartels to produce fentanyl. China, however, has asserted that it has taken steps to combat the illegal drug trade.
“I hope China will stop sending fentanyl, and if not, tariffs will rise significantly,” President Trump said.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on Monday that President Trump would speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days.
Trump also delayed the implementation of 25% tariffs on exports from Mexico and Canada for a month after speaking with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
President Sheinbaum announced that Mexico would send 10,000 National Guard troops to curb the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. “Mexico will reinforce the northern border… to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, especially fentanyl,” she wrote on the platform X after speaking with Trump. “The U.S. is committed to working to stop the trafficking of high-precision weapons into Mexico.”
Sheinbaum added that both countries would continue talks on security and trade, and the tariffs would be suspended for a month starting today.
Prime Minister Trudeau mentioned that Canada would implement new technology and personnel along its border with the United States to halt the flow of fentanyl. “I just had a positive phone call with President Trump,” Trudeau said on X. “The proposed tariffs will be suspended for at least 30 days while we work together.”
Both Sheinbaum and Trudeau, who represent two of the three largest trading partners of the U.S. alongside China, expressed strong opposition to Trump’s tariff plans and vowed retaliatory actions.
