Experts: US Threat to Impose New Tariffs on China Expose Its Weaknesses
Australian Queensland University of Technology visiting professor Warwick Powell told Sputnik News that the US threatening to impose new tariffs as a retaliatory measure against restrictions on Chinese rare earth exports has exposed the US's vulnerability in this area.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on October 9 that starting November 8, it will implement export controls on a series of key items, including superhard materials, rare earth equipment and raw materials, some medium and heavy rare earths, as well as lithium batteries and artificial graphite anode materials. Trump said on October 10 that starting November 1, 2025 (or earlier), the US will impose a 100% tariff on all goods imported from China, a rate far higher than the current standard. Trump explained that this is due to China's "aggressive trade stance."
Powell pointed out during an interview with Sputnik News: "The reality is that the US has exposed serious weaknesses: just mentioning restrictions on rare earth exports is enough to cause chaos within the entire political system. In Australia, we would say they 'blew a gasket'."
The expert added that the tariffs planned by the US will be more damaging to the US than to China.
Powell concluded: "Tariffs will slow down China's exports to the US, which we have already seen, but at the same time, trade growth between China and other parts of the world is increasing rapidly, which will offset the losses caused by the tariffs. In other words, Chinese industry has already adapted to the high tariffs imposed by the US."
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845927314612233/
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