China: 145% Tariff on Imports & 90-Day Pause for Others — Effective April 9, 2025 (Today)

On April 9, 2025, the U.S. raised reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports to 145% while pausing tariffs on other partners for 90 days. Consumer electronics may see 10–15% price hikes , and toys and home goods could climb 8–12%.

You click “buy”—and suddenly there’s a 145% tax on your phone case. Wild, right? As of today, all Chinese imports face that sky-high rate, while every other country gets a 90-day breather. Tariff Alert keeps it tight—no legalese, just what lands in your cart.

Announcement Details

On April 9, 2025, President Trump announced U.S. “reciprocal” tariffs on Chinese goods would rise to 145%—up from roughly 10–25% earlier this spring—effective immediately Reuters. Simultaneously, he ordered a 90-day pause on any new reciprocal tariffs for all other trading partners, aiming to “reset” negotiations without penalizing allies Reuters.

U.S. Imports from China (2024 Values)

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2023 the top Chinese export categories to the U.S. were:

Electrical machinery & equipment: $123.8 billion (28.2% of imports) Al Jazeera
Nuclear reactors, boilers & machinery: $82 billion (18.7%) Al Jazeera
Toys, games & sports equipment: $30 billion (6.8%) Al Jazeera
Plastics & plastic articles: $19.3 billion (4.4%) Al Jazeera
Furniture, bedding & cushions: $18.5 billion (4.2%) Al Jazeera

E-Commerce-Relevant Consumer Impacts

Electronics: With a 145% duty on chargers, smart plugs, and earbuds, online retailers may tack on 10–15% to sticker prices as supply costs spike Financial Times.
Toys & Games: Mattel-made dolls and board games could see 8–12% higher tags when the new rate hits carts Financial Times.
Home Goods & Decor: Instagram-famous plush rugs and decorative lamps—mostly Chinese-made—may trend 9–11% pricier in the weeks ahead Financial Times.

Insights & Predictions

Economic Drag: A Tax Foundation model finds that a 20% broad tariff cuts long-run U.S. GDP by 0.8%—so at 145%, expect significant drag on growth even before any retaliation Tax Foundation.
Business Uncertainty: Nobel laureate Paul Krugman warns it’s the unpredictability—not just the level—that chills investment, pointing to dropped guidance from airlines as evidence Business Insider.
Recession Risk: Apollo’s Torsten Sløk pegs a 90% chance of a tariff-fueled recession if policy swings aren’t reined in—small businesses, which fuel 44% of GDP, are especially vulnerable Business Insider.
Supply-Chain Shifts: Expect importers to rush stockpiles or pivot to Mexico/Canada for alternatives—look for a boom in “Made in North America” badges on e-commerce sites Reuters.

Keep your eyes on those electronics and toy deals—snag them now before tariffs hit checkout.