Washington: The White House has confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest tariff hike on Chinese imports has brought the total additional duties on many Chinese products to a staggering 145 percent, intensifying trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The tariff increase, which came into effect on Thursday, includes a new 125 percent duty targeting Chinese goods, stacked on top of an earlier 20 percent levy imposed this year due to alleged Chinese involvement in the illicit fentanyl supply chain.

Although Trump has simultaneously paused the imposition of fresh tariffs on dozens of other countries for 90 days, the aggressive move against China underscores a hardening U.S. stance on what it describes as “unfair trade practices.”

However, the 125 percent hike comes with significant exclusions. Key imports such as steel, aluminum, and autos are not included under the new rate, as they are already covered by separate 25 percent tariffs. Additionally, products like copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber, and energy goods are not affected by the latest hike—though the White House has indicated these categories could face future actions.

The complex tariff regime now reflects a layered approach, combining legacy duties with newly imposed ones, resulting in varying levels of protectionism across sectors. Analysts say the evolving landscape adds uncertainty for businesses and may provoke countermeasures from China, further escalating trade tensions.