Trump Raises Tariffs on China to 20 Percent, Cites Fentanyl Trafficking

The president also cited allegations of China devaluing its currency as a reason for considering more tariffs.

Employees work at a factory that produces lithium batteries for export in Huaibei, Anhui Province, China, on June 11, 2024. STR/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 3 raising tariffs on Chinese imports to 20 percent, blaming the regime for fentanyl trafficking into the United States.

“I have determined that the PRC [People’s Republic of China] has not taken adequate steps to alleviate the illicit drug crisis through cooperative enforcement actions and that the crisis described in [this order] has not abated,” the executive order states.