China will impose tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 15 per cent on imports from the United States, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on Tuesday.

This decision follows the US government’s announcement on Monday of an additional 10 per cent tariff on all Chinese exports to the US, citing fentanyl-related concerns. The US policy took effect on Tuesday.

According to a public notice from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council, China will levy a 15 per cent tariff on imports of chicken, wheat, corn, and cotton from the US, starting March 10.

A 10 per cent tariff will be applied to US sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, seafood, fruits, vegetables and dairy products on the same day.

US goods that departed from their country of origin before March 10, 2025, and are imported between March 10 and April 12, 2025, will not be subject to the additional tariffs specified in this announcement, the commission clarified.

China is one of the countries with the strictest and most rigorously enforced anti-drug policies in the world. China and the United States have engaged in extensive and in-depth anti-drug cooperation, achieving remarkable results, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said Tuesday.

However, the United States has repeatedly shifted the blame and imposed additional tariffs on Chinese exports to the country, citing the issue of fentanyl as a pretext.

“What the US side has done is a typical act of unilateralism and bullying in disregard of facts, international trade rules and the voice of all parties,” the spokesperson said.

Also on Tuesday, China decided to add 10 US firms, including TCOM, Limited Partnership, to the country’s unreliable entity list and take corresponding measures against them.

From Tuesday on, China will prohibit the afore-mentioned companies from engaging in import and export activities related to China, and these companies will also be banned from making new investments within the country, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Commerce.

The decision was made to maintain national sovereignty, security and development interests and in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, the statement noted.

Action under WTO mechanism 

China has initiated legal action against the United States under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism regarding the latter’s latest tariff increase on Chinese products, the Ministry of Commerce said.

Noting that the unilateral imposition of tariffs by the United States violates WTO rules and undermines the foundation of China-US economic and trade cooperation, the ministry said China expresses strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to the US move.

China will resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests in accordance with WTO rules, and defend the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, the ministry added.

The US company Illumina, Inc has been banned from exporting gene sequencers to China, the Ministry of Commerce announced.

The measure, effective immediately, follows China’s move to add the company to its unreliable entity list on Feb 4, according to the ministry.

China added the company to the unreliable entity list after the company was found to have violated normal market trading principles, terminated regular trade with Chinese companies, and adopted discriminatory measures against Chinese companies, thus causing serious harm to their legitimate rights and interests.

China also announced that it has decided to add 15 US entities that endanger its national security and interests to its export control list.

Effective from Tuesday onward, the export of dual-use items to these 15 firms, including Leidos, Gibbs & Cox, Inc, and IP Video Market Info, Inc, will be prohibited, while any on-going related export activities must be stopped immediately, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry added that in exceptional cases where export is deemed necessary, the exporter must apply for approval.

The decision was made in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, a spokesperson with the ministry said in a statement – stressing that no exporter shall be allowed to violate these control measures.