United States to Impose 100% Tariffs on China and Export Controls on Software; China Responds with Retaliatory Port Fees on US-Linked Vessels
The United States will impose 100% tariffs on imports from China and export controls on "any and all critical software," effective 1 November 2025 — prompting immediate retaliation from China, which will impose escalating port service fees on US-linked vessels starting 14 October 2025.
President Donald Trump said he is taking the measures in response to "aggressive" moves by China in its implementation of export controls. In a Truth Social post on 10 October 2025, President Trump stated that "China has taken an extraordinarily aggressive position on Trade in sending an extremely hostile letter to the World, stating that they were going to, effective November 1st, 2025, impose large scale Export Controls on virtually every product they make, and some not even made by them." Trump noted that these export controls affect all nations and called the action "unheard of in International Trade."
Trump stated: "…starting November 1st, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China), the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying. Also on November 1st, we will impose Export Controls on any and all critical software."
On 9 October 2025, China imposed new export controls on additional rare-earth minerals and refining technology, effective 1 December 2025.
In response, China announced retaliatory measures targeting US-linked maritime operations. Beginning 14 October 2025, China will impose special port service fees on vessels with substantial US ties, including those that are:
- US-flagged;
- US-built;
- owned or operated by US entities; or
- controlled by US interests through ownership, voting rights, or board seats amounting to 25% or more.
The fee structure mirrors the US port fees on Chinese-linked vessels, with rates escalating annually:
- from 14 October 2025: RMB 400 per net ton;
- from 17 April 2026: RMB 640;
- from 17 April 2027: RMB 880; and
- from 17 April 2028: RMB 1,120.
These measures are expected to affect several US-affiliated shipping lines.
More information relating to tariff measures can be found on IBFD's International Guide on Global Trade.