Following on from our last circular No GN/2025/038, China announced today that it will impose additional tariffs of 10 percent or 15 percent on certain US products starting from March 10, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.

An additional 15 percent tariff will be imposed on imported chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, while 10 percent tariff will be imposed on sorghum, soybean, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products, per the statement.

For these products, corresponding tariffs will be added to the current tariff rates. Current bonded policies as well as tax reduction and exemption policies will not change, and the latest tariffs to be imposed will not be reduced or exempted, according to the statement.

On Monday, the US government announced the imposition of an additional 10 percent tariff on all Chinese goods imported to the US citing the fentanyl issue as an excuse. The unilateral tariffs undermine the multilateral trading system, exacerbate the burden on American businesses and consumers, and damage the fundamental basis of economic and trade cooperation between China and the US, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said.

For imports that have been shipped from the port of origin before March 10, 2025, and are imported into China between March 10 and April 12, the additional tariffs imposed as specified by this announcement shall not be levied, according to the statement.

China has initiated legal action against the US under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism regarding the latter's latest tariff increase on Chinese products, the MOFCOM said on Tuesday.

China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules, and defend the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, the ministry added.

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