U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration will not only proceed with the previously planned 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports starting Tuesday but will now double the rate to 20%.
The decision—impacting billions of dollars in trade—marks a major escalation in economic tensions with China. As is typical for Trump, the announcement came via social media, with the president justifying the move by blaming China for its role in the fentanyl drug trade.
"A large percentage of these drugs, much of them in the form of fentanyl, are made in and supplied by China," Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
"Until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled. China will likewise be charged an additional 10% Tariff on that date."
In addition to China, Trump announced 25% tariffs on all imports from Mexico and Canada, citing their alleged failure to prevent drug trafficking across the U.S. border. These tariffs are also set to take effect on Tuesday.
The president further declared that beginning April 2, Washington will impose reciprocal tariffs on all nations the U.S. trades with, escalating his longstanding trade war strategy.
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