Trump set to raise tariffs on China to over 100%, signals tougher Global trade stance

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, April 8th, 2025

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Washington, D.C. – In a dramatic escalation of trade tensions, President Donald Trump will impose a sweeping 104% tariff on all Chinese imports starting Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Tuesday. The move is part of Trump’s hardline “reciprocal” tariff strategy and follows China’s vow to enact 34% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.

Initially, China was facing a 34% tariff hike, but Trump added another 50% in duties after Beijing refused to withdraw its retaliatory plans. This brings the total increase to 84%. These new measures come on top of existing tariffs from Trump’s first term and additional ones maintained by the Biden administration, pushing the average duty on Chinese imports to nearly 125%.

Leavitt described China’s response as “a mistake upon a mistake,” mirroring a statement from Beijing’s Commerce Ministry, which has pledged further retaliation. “President Trump has a spine of steel and he will not break,” Leavitt stated, adding that while China “wants to make a deal, they just don’t know how.”

The announcement rattled U.S. financial markets. By 3 p.m. ET, the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 had all turned negative after initial gains earlier in the day.

China, which exported $439 billion worth of goods to the U.S. last year, remains a top supplier of consumer electronics, smartphones, computers, toys, and other products. The price of these goods is expected to rise significantly for American consumers. Meanwhile, the U.S. exported $144 billion in goods to China over the same period.

The tariff hike also affects dozens of other countries, including members of the European Union, with new duties ranging from 11% to 50% set to take effect at midnight Wednesday. Despite ongoing discussions with global leaders, Leavitt said Trump remains firm.

However, she noted that “tailor-made” trade deals are possible for countries willing to negotiate. “They won’t be off-the-rack agreements,” she said.