President Joe Biden has hiked tariffs on key Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, microchips and steel.
"China’s unfair trade practices concerning technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation are threatening American businesses and workers," the White House said in a statement, adding that the People's Republic is "flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports".
In response, President Biden has directed the US trade representative to increase tariffs on $18 billion of imports from China.
The tariff rate on electric vehicles will increase to 100% in 2024 from 25% currently.
The tariff rate on lithium-ion EV batteries will increase from 7.5%% to 25% in 2024, while the tariff rate on lithium-ion non-EV batteries will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2026. The tariff rate on battery parts will increase from 7.5% to 25% in 2024.
The tariff rate on semiconductors will increase from 25% to 50% by 2025.
The tariff rate on certain steel and aluminum products will increase to 25% in 2024 from 0-7.5%. The tariff rate on solar cells (whether or not assembled into modules) will increase from 25% to 50% in 2024.
Tariffs are also being increased on some medical products, including syringes, needles, personal protective equipment such as respirators and face masks, rubber medical and surgical gloves.