Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Just the Facts: United States Vs. China Tariff War

News

USA China trade war and American tariffs as opposing cargo freight containers in conflict as an economic and diplomatic dispute over import and exports concept as a 3D illustration.
Are Trump's tariffs good for the economy or will they increase prices?
wildpixel/Getty Images


What tariffs did the United States impose on China on April 2nd?

On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a series of tariffs, including a 10% universal tariff on all imports, with additional country-specific rates. For China, an additional 34% tariff was imposed.


These tariffs are in addition to the 10% tariff on China i mposed in February 2025, which was raised to 20% in March 2025, bringing the total tariff on Chinese imports to 54%.

The 10% universal tariff will take effect on April 5, 2025, while the higher country-specific rates, including the additional 34% on China, are scheduled to begin on April 9, 2025.

What amount of tariff did China announce on April 4th in response?

In retaliation, China announced a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports, set to go into effect on April 10, 2025.

Have any lawsuits been filed that could stop Trump's April 2nd tariffs?

On April 3, 2025, the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NCLA), a legal group with conservative backing, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Florida on behalf of Simplified, a Florida-based retailer. The lawsuit contends that the tariffs on Chinese imports are unconstitutional and seeks to block their implementation and enforcement. The plaintiffs argue that the President overstepped his authority by imposing these tariffs without proper congressional approval, asserting that such actions require detailed investigations and findings as stipulated by trade statutes.

Legal experts anticipate that the courts will need to determine whether the President's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to justify the tariffs is lawful. Historically, the IEEPA has been employed for sanctions rather than for imposing tariffs, making this a novel application of the law. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a significant precedent regarding the scope of presidential authority in trade matters.

In 2024, did China impose tariffs on the US, and did the US impose tariffs on China? If so, what products did they apply to?

In 2024, China and the United States had tariffs on each other's goods as part of their ongoing trade tensions.

  • U.S. Tariffs on China: Tariffs included increases on solar wafers and polysilicon (from 25% to 50%), steel and aluminum (25%), electric vehicles (from 27.5% up to 102.5% over three years), and lithium-ion EV batteries and critical minerals (set to reach 25% by 2025).
  • China's Tariffs on the U.S.: China imposed reciprocal tariffs targeting key U.S. exports, particularly agricultural and energy products. These included tariffs ranging from 10% to 15% on U.S. soybeans and sorghum, a 15% tariff on coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), a 10% tariff on crude oil, and additional tariffs of 10% on U.S. agricultural machinery and automobiles.

What percentage of the total US trade deficit in 2024 was from China?

In 2024, the United States recorded a total goods trade deficit of approximately $1.2 trillion. Of this, the goods trade deficit with China accounted for $295.4 billion. This means that the deficit with China represented approximately 24.6% of that year's total U.S. goods trade deficit.

Are there any advantages of the trade deficit for the US?

Yes, despite often being viewed negatively, there are advantages of a trade deficit for the United States:

  1. Access to Diverse and Affordable Goods: A trade deficit allows the U.S. to import a wide variety of goods and services that may not be produced domestically, as well as an influx of cheaper imported goods, enhancing consumer choice and reducing prices, improving living standards.
  2. Foreign Investment: Trade deficits often lead to capital inflows, as foreign countries reinvest the dollars they earn from exports into U.S. assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate. This can strengthen the U.S. economy.
  3. Encouraging Economic Efficiency: Exposure to international competition through trade can drive domestic firms to become more efficient and innovative.
  4. Comparative Advantage: By importing goods that are cheaper or more efficiently produced elsewhere, the U.S. can focus on industries where it has a competitive edge, boosting overall productivity.

What are the disadvantages to the US of the current trade deficit with China?

The substantial trade deficit between the United States and China presents several challenges for the U.S. economy:

    1. Economic Dependence: A significant trade deficit can make the U.S. reliant on Chinese imports, which could pose risks during geopolitical tensions or supply chain disruptions.
    2. Manufacturing Job Losses: Critics argue that the trade deficit contributes to the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs to China, impacting domestic employment in certain industries.
    3. Weakened Domestic Industries: The influx of cheaper Chinese goods can make it challenging for U.S. manufacturers to compete, potentially leading to the decline of some industries.
    4. National Security: U.S. policymakers are increasingly worried about Chinese efforts to spread disinformation and collect sensitive information on Americans.

    The Fulcrum strives to approach news stories with an open mind and skepticism, striving to present our readers with a broad spectrum of viewpoints through diligent research and critical thinking. As best we can, remove personal bias from our reporting and seek a variety of perspectives in both our news gathering and selection of opinion pieces. However, before our readers can analyze varying viewpoints, they must have the facts.

    Editor's Note: David Nevins is co-publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.

    Read More

    Is America Still Welcoming Global Talent?
    Close up of american visa label in passport.
    Getty Images/Alexander W. Helin

    Is America Still Welcoming Global Talent?

    A few weeks ago, when new proposals limiting J and F visa expansion were open for public comment, immigration quickly became a hot topic again at our research center, where more than half the scientists come from abroad. Some worried about their plan, others traded news and updates about the H1-B. A colleague asked if I was anxious too. To my own surprise, I wasn’t.

    I used to be. But after weathering turbulent visa policies under different U.S. administrations, like many other international scholars, I have learned to stay flexible and mobile. My U.S. visa for a graduate program was delayed due to tensions between the U.S. and China several years ago. Up against a deadline for the program, I pivoted to Japan to continue the research training. What felt like a closed door became a new window: I fortunately joined a world-class team in tissue-engineering vascular medicine, broadened my view of clinical care and research, and began bridging my path as both practitioner and scientist. Committed to strengthening the “bench-to-bed” pipeline—learning real-world needs and translating research to meet them—I chose the United States again to carry this work forward.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    A close up of a train passing by quickly.

    The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could create America’s first coast-to-coast freight rail system.

    Rail Merger Holds Promise for the Economy

    Boosting domestic industry and manufacturing continues to be a key economic theme. A recently proposed merger between two major railroad companies could advance those goals—and it carries particular promise for underserved communities who are often on the front lines of America’s workforce.

    The merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern would create the nation’s first transcontinental freight rail system, a vision pursued since 1869, when the “golden spike” famously connected the east and west.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Ending taxes on home sales would benefit the wealthiest households most – part of a larger pattern in Trump tax plans

    File:Homes-for-sale-Burrus-02.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

    Ending taxes on home sales would benefit the wealthiest households most – part of a larger pattern in Trump tax plans

    Not long after U.S. housing prices reached a record high this summer – the median existing home went for US$435,000 in June – President Donald Trump said that he was considering a plan to make home sales tax-free.

    Supporters of the idea, introduced by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as the No Tax on Home Sales Act in July, say it would benefit working families by eliminating all taxes on the sales of family homes.

    Keep ReadingShow less
    Just the Facts: $100,000 Visa Executive Order

    "Just the Facts" on the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, its impact on tech firms, startups, and healthcare, plus legal challenges and alternatives for skilled workers.

    Getty Images, Popartic

    Just the Facts: $100,000 Visa Executive Order

    The Fulcrum strives to approach news stories with an open mind and skepticism, striving to present our readers with a broad spectrum of viewpoints through diligent research and critical thinking. As best we can, we remove personal bias from our reporting and seek a variety of perspectives in both our news gathering and selection of opinion pieces. However, before our readers can analyze varying viewpoints, they must have the facts.

    What Is the $100,000 Visa Fee?

    This is a new one-time $100,000 application fee for employers seeking to sponsor foreign workers under the H-1B visa program. The visa is designed for highly skilled professionals in fields like tech, medicine, and engineering.

    Keep ReadingShow less