Earlier today (April 9), China declared an additional 84 percent tariff on all imports from the United States, following Trump’s decision to implement a 104 percent tariff on products from the East Asian nation.
In retaliation, Trump has announced an increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, continuing the ongoing trade dispute between the two nations.
On his social media platform, Truth Social, the President stated: “Due to the disrespect China has shown towards the global markets, I am raising the tariff imposed on China by the United States to 125%, effective immediately.
“At some point, I hope soon, China will understand that the era of exploiting the U.S.A. and other nations is no longer viable or acceptable.” He also mentioned that he is instituting a 90-day suspension of tariffs on other countries, as they have not announced retaliatory tariffs like those of China.
Trump further elaborated: “In contrast, more than 75 countries have reached out to representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to seek a resolution regarding trade issues, trade barriers, tariffs, currency manipulation, and non-monetary tariffs. These countries have, at my strong recommendation, refrained from retaliating against the United States. Therefore, I have authorized a 90-day PAUSE and a significantly reduced reciprocal tariff of 10% during this period, effective immediately.”
As the trade conflict escalates, business leaders are cautioning about the risk of a recession stemming from these policies, as several major U.S. trading partners respond with their own import taxes, leading to instability in the stock market after several days of decline.In advance of Trump’s latest announcement, his tariffs were implemented shortly after midnight in the United States. These tariffs included an initial 104 percent on products imported from China, 20 percent on goods from the European Union, 24 percent on Japanese products, and 25 percent on South Korean imports.
In response, China has imposed an 84 percent tariff on American goods. According to a report from POLITICO earlier today, the European Union is contemplating imposing tariffs of up to 25 percent on a wide array of American exports valued at approximately €22.1 billion.
Lin Jian, a spokesman for foreign affairs, recently criticized the United States, stating that such actions are detrimental to their bilateral relationship. He remarked to reporters, “Prioritizing the US over international regulations exemplifies unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion.
“Using pressure and threats is not an effective approach to engage with China. China will resolutely protect its legitimate rights and interests.”
Nonetheless, Trump perceives China as one of the primary culprits in an inequitable trade relationship with the United States. In a defense of the tariffs on Truth Social, he stated: “Oil prices are down, interest rates are down (the sluggish Federal Reserve should lower rates!), food prices are down, there is NO INFLATION, and the long-suffering USA is generating billions of dollars weekly from tariffs imposed on these exploitative countries.
“This is despite the fact that the most significant offender, China, whose markets are collapsing, has just increased its tariffs by 34 percent, in addition to its historically excessive tariffs, disregarding my warning to these countries against retaliation. They have profited for decades at the expense of the Good OL’ USA! Our previous ‘leaders’ are responsible for permitting this and much more to occur in our country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
As part of its countermeasures, China will implement a 34 percent tariff on American goods, effective April 10. Additionally, the nation has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), asserting that Trump’s tariffs significantly breach WTO regulations.
