United States President, Donald Trump, announced on Monday that any country conducting business with Iran would face a new 25% tariff.
The measure appears to target major trading partners of both nations, including China, potentially making imports from Beijing significantly more expensive.
“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This Order is final and conclusive,” he added.
The White House did not provide further details on the tariff or how the administration intends to enforce it, instead directing CNN to Trump’s post.
Trump did not clarify what constitutes “doing business” with Iran, leaving questions about which countries would be affected, how the tariffs would apply, and whether services as well as goods would be subject to the new duties.
The announcement comes amid ongoing unrest in Iran, where the U.S. president has suggested military intervention to “rescue” anti-government protesters, hundreds of whom have been killed. Authorities imposed a widespread communications blackout on Thursday, largely isolating Iranians from the outside world.
If fully implemented, the tariff could push the minimum U.S. duty on Chinese goods to 45%, up from the current 20% rate.
China’s embassy in Washington responded late Monday, saying Beijing “firmly opposes all illicit unilateral sanctions” and pledging to take “all necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”
“Tariff wars and trade wars have no winners, and coercion and pressure cannot solve problems,” spokesperson Liu Pengyu added on X.
According to Chinese customs data, in the first 11 months of 2025, China exported $6.2 billion worth of goods to Iran while importing $2.85 billion.
These figures exclude oil purchases, which China typically keeps undisclosed. Analysts estimate that China has handled over 90% of Iran’s oil trade in recent years, often through intermediaries.
Other countries considered major trading partners with Iran include India, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
Earlier this year, Trump doubled duties on goods from India to a minimum 50% tariff to penalize the country for buying Russian oil. He also warned that similar tariffs could be applied to other nations purchasing Russian oil, including China, which is Russia’s largest customer.
During his second term, Trump has relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to adjust import tariffs. However, the legality of this approach is now under review in the Supreme Court, with a decision expected this month.
If the Court rules that Trump overstepped his authority, he would lose the ability to set tariffs without significant restrictions, and the U.S. could be required to refund at least $130 billion in revenue collected under these measures.
