President Donald Trump has ordered an unprecedented 245% tariff on Chinese imports, escalating an already volatile trade conflict despite widespread warnings from economists, industry leaders, and global allies. The new tariff, announced late Tuesday night, targets a broad range of goods and overrides earlier proposals for a phased response.

The White House justified the measure as retaliation for what it called “sustained economic aggression” by China, referencing recent Chinese export controls on critical minerals and new levies on American agricultural and tech exports.

But the move has drawn sharp criticism from trade analysts and foreign policy experts, who say the Trump administration’s actions risk pushing the global economy toward recession. “This isn’t strategy-it’s sabotage,” said Dr. Henry Lee of the Center for Global Trade Policy. “There’s no plan here beyond escalation.”

The new tariff will affect an estimated $340 billion in imports, including consumer electronics, vehicle components, solar tech, and processed minerals-sectors already reeling from the first wave of trade penalties. Economists warn the decision could cause price spikes across the board and upend recovery efforts in global manufacturing.

Meanwhile, China has appointed a new chief trade negotiator, signaling a possible shift in its internal strategy. But Beijing has not indicated any willingness to reverse its own retaliatory measures, which now include limits on the export of rare earth elements and AI-related technologies.

European and Asian markets reacted sharply, with the Hang Seng Index dropping 2.3% and the DAX falling nearly 1.7%. The euro and yen rallied slightly on expectations that their governments may attempt to insulate themselves from U.S. volatility.

Though the Trump administration continues to frame the move as a defense of American jobs, critics say it reveals a broader effort to manufacture economic confrontation for domestic political gain.

The Crustian Daily will continue to track market reactions, diplomatic fallout, and internal memos surrounding the tariff escalation.