US May Impose 500% Tariff On China
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that 85 senators are ready to grant President Donald Trump the authority to impose a 500 % tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing continues buying Russian oil.
Reason for the threat
Bessent accused China of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine through its energy purchases. He said such purchases “fuel the Russian war machine” and must be countered with strong measures.
Legislative context
The proposal aligns with the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, under which the U.S. could impose steep secondary tariffs on nations that purchase Russian energy. This legislation has generated broad support in Congress.
Risks and reactions
A tariff of this scale would mark a drastic escalation in the U.S.–China trade conflict and could provoke retaliation and serious disruption to global trade and supply chains. Analysts question the feasibility of enforcing such extreme tariffs effectively.
