---
title: 'Trump Hits China with 100% Tariffs, Beijing Strikes Back'
url: 'https://thediplomaticinsight.com/trump-hits-china-with-100-tariffs-beijing-strikes-back/'
author: 'Monitoring Desk'
date: '2025-10-11T05:41:12+05:00'
categories:
  - 'Asia'
  - 'Featured'
  - 'World'
---

# Trump Hits China with 100% Tariffs, Beijing Strikes Back

**Beijing (TDI):** Tensions between Washington and Beijing flared once again on Friday after both sides unveiled fresh measures targeting each other’s shipping and trade sectors.

China’s Ministry of Transport announced that, starting Tuesday, vessels that are owned, operated, built, or registered under the US flag will be charged new port fees. The move mirrors similar levies imposed by Washington on China-linked ships that take effect the same day.

Later that day, US President Donald Trump fired back, declaring that tariffs on all Chinese exports to the United States would rise to 100%. He also confirmed new export restrictions on critical software, retaliating against Beijing’s recent curbs on rare earth mineral supplies.

Although only a limited number of US-built or US-flagged ships operate internationally, analysts say China’s rules could ensnare far more vessels. The fees will also apply to companies where US-based investors hold at least 25% of shares or board seats, a definition broad enough to include many publicly traded shipping firms.

From Tuesday, Chinese-linked ships entering the United States will face corresponding fees at their first port of call.

**Read More: [Trade Truce: China, US Slash Massive Tariffs](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/trade-truce-china-us-slash-massive-tariffs/)**

US-based carrier Matson confirmed that it falls under the new Chinese fee structure but said it has no plans to alter its schedule. Other companies potentially affected include American President Lines, a US subsidiary of CMA-CGM, and Israel’s Zim, whose shareholder base includes significant American ownership, according to Lars Jensen of Vespucci Maritime, according to Reuters.

Jensen estimated that roughly 100 vessels operated by Seaspan, chartered to major container lines, will be hit by both Chinese and American fees.

Oil tanker operators may not escape the fallout either. Many are headquartered outside the US but are listed on American stock exchanges, leaving them exposed. One example is Scorpio Tankers, which operates one of the largest and newest tanker fleets in the world.

Beijing has condemned Washington’s shipping fees as “discriminatory,” arguing that the measures threaten global supply chain stability and undermine international trade norms.

Over the past two decades, China has emerged as the world’s top shipbuilding power, with its major yards serving both commercial and military clients.

**Read More: [US, China Agree to Slash Tariffs by 115% for 90 Days](https://thediplomaticinsight.com/us-china-agree-to-slash-tariffs-by-115-for-90-days/)**

China’s port fee for US-linked vessels will begin at 400 yuan ($56) per net ton on October 15, increasing to 640 yuan ($90) in April 2026, 880 yuan ($124) in April 2027, and 1,120 yuan ($157) by April 2028.

The latest tit-for-tat escalation follows the breakdown of a short-lived tariff truce that began in August and is set to expire in early November. This year’s wave of retaliatory measures has already slowed Chinese imports of American agricultural and energy goods, further straining an already fragile trade relationship.