US raises China tariffs to 20% before Trump-Xi meeting
Business
The US is set to hike tariffs on goods from China by 7.5%, bringing the total rate up to 20%.
This move is meant to restore duties to around 20% and comes just before President Trump meets Xi Jinping on September 24, 2026.
The goal? To push back against what the US sees as unfair trade practices.
Tariffs target China's excess manufacturing capacity
These new tariffs are targeting China's extra manufacturing capacity, which has been under scrutiny in a Section 301 investigation.
While both countries are trying to extend their current trade truce (set to expire November 10), legal challenges are popping up, like a Supreme Court ruling and lawsuits from several US states.
Still, US officials say the tariffs are needed because of concerns over forced labor and industrial overproduction in China.