China imposes extra tariffs on U.S. farm exports and expands trade limits

In a retaliatory move against new U.S. tariffs, China’s Commerce Ministry announced Tuesday that it will impose additional tariffs of up to 15% on key U.S. agricultural products, while also expanding controls on business activities with major U.S. companies.

The new tariffs are set to take effect on March 10, with goods already in transit exempt until April 12.

The extra tariffs target several important farm exports, including chicken, pork, soy, beef, wheat, corn, and cotton. Specifically, U.S.-grown chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton will incur an additional 15% tariff, while tariffs on sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products will be increased by 10%.

China is a major importer of American farm products, and its measures come as a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent tariff hikes— which raised duties on Chinese products to 20% and imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Although U.S. agricultural purchases had dipped after the onset of the trade war during Trump’s first term, they later recovered, making this a significant development for U.S. exporters.

The announcement was made just a day before the annual session of China’s parliament, where economic issues including deflation are expected to be key discussion points. The extra tariffs and expanded trade limits underscore the ongoing tit-for-tat escalation between the two nations as each side seeks to protect its domestic industries amid a broader trade dispute.

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