Trump tariffs

Trump tariffs is a program implemented by the Second Trump Administration.

U.S. President Donald Trump supports tariffs as a way of restoring American jobs lost due to massive trade deficits. Critics of President Trump's tariff proposals are often beneficiaries of products that incorporate items such as low-priced steel imports. Supporters of the President's tariffs believe protective tariffs are a way to protect U.S. producers and American workers. Trump has noted that the most successful vehicles in the auto industry are protected by high tariffs.

Beginning in the First Trump Administration tariffs on Chinese imports stemmed the capital outflow to China, sparked creation of manufacturing and service sector jobs in the U.S., and slowed the Chinese military build-up which previously was being funded by American consumers.

The US "trade war" with the People's Republic of China (placement of tariffs on Chinese goods, which exist mostly as a result of intellectual property theft from the West) have frustrated liberals and even mainstream conservatives, but even self-described classical liberal journalist Tim Pool has stated that his "liberal friends in Hong Kong support the tariffs."

Trump's trade advisors are mulling over the idea of implementing gradually increasing tariffs in order to avoid an inflation spike. By implementing changes gradually, the Trump administration aims to avoid the market volatility that often accompanies sudden policy shifts. The gradual increase in tariffs is intended to give businesses time to adapt to the new trade environment, minimizing the potential negative impact on the economy. This approach has been described as "boiling the frog," where the changes are so gradual that they go almost unnoticed until they have fully taken effect.

According to experts surveyed by JPMorgan, the Supreme Court of the United States is likely to agree with the decisions of lower courts that ruled President Trump cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs. The question revolves around Article I, Section 7 of the United States Constitution: "All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives".

Chinese exports to the US

U.S. trade deficit with China. The difference between the red line and blue line represents an outflow of American wealth - capital that could be used to create American jobs rather than jobs in China and prosperity for the Chinese Communist Party.

According to the Chinese government, approximately 14.7% of China’s total exports went to the United States in 2024. That is a decline compared to 2018, when the U.S. accounted for approximately 16% of China’s exports, with total exports to the U.S. valued at $547 billion.

Chinese exports to the United States in 2024 accounted for 13.4% of all US imports. The main categories of goods imported from China to the U.S. include:

• Consumer Electronics: Smartphones, computers, and tablets dominate this category, with China accounting for 78% of U.S. smartphone imports and 79% of laptops in 2023. Other electronics include televisions, home entertainment systems, and lithium-ion batteries, which make up a significant share of imports

• Machinery and Industrial Equipment: Includes auto parts, robotics, automation equipment, and construction machinery. This category accounted for $110 billion in imports in 2023.

• Furniture and Household Goods: Wood and upholstered furniture, small home appliances (e.g., microwaves, air purifiers), and lighting fixtures are key products. Furniture alone accounted for $14 billion in imports.

• Toys, Textiles, and Apparel: Toys represent over 70% of U.S. toy imports, while textiles and clothing made up $21 billion in imports in 2023.

• Medical Supplies and Pharmaceuticals: Includes raw pharmaceutical ingredients and medical devices, accounting for about 30% of U.S. imports in this category.

Rare earths

See also: Rare earth minerals

In 2025 China began using a "validated end-user" (VEU) system modeled on U.S. export-control laws that excludes companies with ties to the U.S. military while fast-tracking export approvals for civilian-focused firms.

The VEU system aims to fulfill President Xi Jinping's pledge to President Trump to facilitate material exports while preventing their use by U.S. military suppliers—a key concern for Beijing. If strictly enforced, the system could complicate imports for U.S. automotive and aerospace firms with both civilian and defense clients. Rare-earth materials, critical for civilian goods like EVs and passenger jets, are also essential in military applications such as jet fighters and attack drones. Since April 2025, Beijing has used export restrictions on rare-earth magnets to gain leverage in the trade war, though the Oct. 30. 2025 truce between Trump and Xi saw concessions from both sides, with China committing to issue general licenses to ease export flows. Uncertainties remain regarding eligibility for general licenses and the duration of VEU protections. Despite China's public commitments, rare-earth magnet exports to the U.S. dropped 29% in September 2025, highlighting ongoing disruptions.

See also

• MAGAnomics