Months after US President Doanld Trump’s fiery tariff war with China, Uncle Sam seems to be at war again with the Asian dragon. Trump has reopened a major front in the long-running trade conflict with China, announcing a sharp escalation in tariffs and export controls.
The move ends a fragile truce between the world’s two largest economies and signals a return to confrontation over trade, technology, and strategic resources. The US President on Friday (October 10, 2025) announced an additional 100% tariff on China staring next month.
US 100% tariff on China: What triggered latest retaliatory moves?
Trump’s actions come in response to Beijing’s decision to expand controls over rare earth mineral exports. China dominates the global supply of these critical inputs, which are indispensable for electronics, defense systems, semiconductors, green energy, and consumer tech manufacturing.
Calling the move “shocking” and “very, very bad,” Trump accused China of issuing a “hostile order” and attempting to weaponize its mineral monopoly. In view of China’s latest move on rare earths exports, US President Trump unveiled multiple steps aimed at exerting immediate pressure on Beijing.
These include 100% tariffs on Chinese exports to the US, export controls on “any and all critical software” beginning November 1, 2025, possible curbs on airplanes and aircraft parts, additional countermeasures under consideration. These measures were announced just days before existing tariff relief is scheduled to expire.
Could the Xi–Trump meeting be cancelled?
A planned meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, expected in three weeks in South Korea, has now been thrown into uncertainty. On Truth Social, Trump wrote that there was “no reason” to hold the meeting. Later, he told reporters he hadn’t canceled it but added, “I would assume we might have it.”
Beijing, on the other hand, has never officially confirmed the summit.
Why are rare earths at the center of the fallout?
China recently expanded its export control list by adding five new rare earth elements, including dozens of refining technologies, requiring foreign buyers using Chinese materials to comply with its rules. Several countries have reportedly expressed concern to Washington, fearing supply disruptions.
Trump claimed unnamed governments had contacted him, upset by Beijing’s moves. In defense of his retaliation, he stated that for every Element that they have been able to monopolize, we have two.
US to use software to hit China?
Experts warn that banning the export of critical US software, especially for cloud computing and artificial intelligence, could strike a major blow to China’s tech sector. The Trump administration is also weighing additional export blocks on aviation technologies and tooling.
A person familiar with the discussions told news agency Reuters that other sectors may soon be targeted.
In recent days, Washington has escalated pressure beyond tariffs like a proposed ban on Chinese airlines using Russian airspace on US routes; millions of Chinese electronic products removed from major US e-commerce sites by the FCC. In turn, Beijing has accused Washington of unilateralism and undermining global commerce.
APEC Summit: Hostage to trade tensions?
With the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled to begin on October 31, 2025, in South Korea, analysts say both sides may be gambling ahead of potential talks. Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said, “They both are hoping that amping up pressure will lead the other to make concessions in advance of APEC, or they are now re-escalating assuming a deal at APEC is impossible and are gaining leverage for the next round of the fight.”
Moreover, Trump has also called into question his plans to meet Chinese president Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, in what would be the first encounter between the leaders of the world’s two largest economies since Trump returned to power in January.
“I was to meet President Xi in two weeks, at APEC, in South Korea, but now there seems to be no reason to do so,” he wrote.