China’s tea exports have come to a sudden halt amid escalating geopolitical tensions. In 2025, the U.S. imposed a 34% “reciprocal tariff” on Chinese tea—following a broader trade conflict—and China retaliated with additional 50% tariffs, largely shuttering bilateral trade in the commodity and upending the global tea trade landscape . This dramatic move is triggering ripple effects: exporters scramble to reestablish supply chains, tea-producing regions face urgent financial stress, and global tea markets are now adjusting to new price and sourcing dynamics.

Sources