Levy Taxes?? – newby question

Hello,

I’m about to pay for an order of around USD 1,500 to a supplier, he came back today saying the following

” At present, the United States has to levy taxes on orders exported from China to the United States.
For example, we need to collect more than $100 for an order of $1,500. I will check if there is any way to exempt this fee after I go to work in the company tomorrow.”

Is this true? or is he trying to charge me extra just because?

Thanks!