The Trump administration’s previously announced 10% additional universal tariffs on China, prompted by issues such as fentanyl, officially took effect on the 4th. This marks exactly 15 days since President Trump began his second term on the 20th of last month.

Previously, Chinese products exported to the U.S. were subject to an average tariff rate of about 20%. However, following the executive order signed by President Trump on the 1st, all Chinese imports will now face an additional 10% tariff, raising the average rate to 30%.

As a result, tariffs on strategic Chinese industries already targeted by the U.S. have increased. For example, tariffs on electric vehicles rose from 100% to 110%, while tariffs on lithium batteries and battery components for electric vehicles increased from 25% to 35%. Tariffs on solar wafers and polysilicon rose from 50% to 60%, and tariffs on tungsten and aluminum also increased from 25% to 35%.

Notably, unlike during Trump’s first term, his second-term administration has taken a tougher stance by not granting any exceptions to the additional tariffs on China. If the 10% tariffs persist, this could lead to price increases in the U.S. for various Chinese IT and home appliance products, including iPhones, which have previously been imported duty-free.

Although President Trump stated that he would engage in talks with China within 24 hours, following similar tariff delays with Mexico and Canada, no such reversal occurred. China responded immediately by announcing retaliatory measures.

The Chinese State Council announced additional tariffs of 15% on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and 10% on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large-displacement vehicles, and pickup trucks. China also introduced export controls on rare materials such as tungsten, tellurium, bismuth, molybdenum, and indium, requiring export permits for shipments to the U.S.

Additionally, China initiated an antitrust investigation against Google, one of America’s leading tech giants. China also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the U.S.’s additional 10% tariffs on Chinese goods.

However, the trade war between the U.S. and China, triggered by the Trump administration’s “preemptive strike,” could still be dramatically delayed through talks between the two countries’ leaders.

For instance, tariffs announced against Mexico and Canada were delayed for a month after President Trump held last-minute calls with their leaders just hours before the tariffs were set to take effect.

With the Chinese State Council setting the effective date for its retaliatory tariffs on the 10th, the possibility of a call between the two leaders before that date cannot be ruled out.

During Trump’s first term, the trade war, which lasted 18 months, was resolved in January 2020 when the two countries signed the so-called “Phase One Trade Deal.” At the time, China agreed to increase its purchases of U.S. products by at least $200 billion between 2020 and 2021, while the Trump administration suspended additional high tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods in exchange for China’s commitment to expand imports from the U.S.