Trump amends executive order upping China tariffs

The White House announced on Monday that China will face increased tariffs, with President Donald Trump citing the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the U.S. as the main reason for the decision. The Chinese government will now face 20% tariffs, up from the original 10%, over their failure to address the influx of synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, into the country.

In an executive order signed by President Trump, it was stated that the Chinese government has not taken adequate steps to alleviate the illicit drug crisis, posing an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States. The tariffs will go into effect on Tuesday.

This decision comes on the heels of the Trump administration’s announcement of 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods, also set to be implemented on Tuesday. Peter Navarro, the White House senior counselor on trade and manufacturing, defended the tariffs, stating that the issue begins in China with precursor chemicals, moves to Mexico where the fentanyl is made, and utilizes Canada as a transit hub for distribution.

The Chinese government has opposed the tariffs, claiming that they are one of the toughest countries on counternarcotics. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the U.S. to correct its actions and maintain positive counternarcotics cooperation.

The decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to address the fentanyl crisis and combat the flow of illicit drugs into the country. This move is expected to have significant implications for trade relations between the U.S. and China, as well as with Canada and Mexico.

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