WASHINGTON

Some imports from China now face a maximum tariff rate of up to 245%, a White House official confirmed Wednesday.

A fact sheet posted on the White House website Tuesday mentioned that Chinese imports face a maximum 245% tariff, far beyond the 145% upper threshold previously reported. That figure included a 125% reciprocal tariff imposed by President Donald Trump this month as well as additional 20% fentanyl-related tariffs.

The White House official said some goods are subject to additional duties, known as Section 301 tariffs, that seek to address unfair trade practices. The penalties range from roughly 7.5% to 100%, meaning some Chinese goods now face a total US tariff of 245%.

Electric vehicles and syringes both have Section 301 tariffs of 100% "so those products are hit with a total tariff of around 245% after you factor in the fentanyl tariffs and reciprocal tariff from which neither product is excluded," the official said.

Trump said Tuesday that he believes China, not the US, needs to step forward to open trade negotiations as the world's top two economies engage in a spiraling tariff war.

"The ball is in China's court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don't have to make a deal with them," Trump said in a statement read aloud to reporters by spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. "There's no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger and China wants what we have.”

Trump said earlier Wednesday that a delegation from Japan is headed to the White House today to negotiate on tariffs, military support for Tokyo and what he called "trade fairness."

"I will attend the meeting, along with Treasury & Commerce Secretaries. Hopefully something can be worked out which is good (GREAT!) for Japan and the USA!" he wrote on social media.