The U.S. threatens to apply 50% tariffs to China

Trump has warned China that the U.S. will impose an additional 50% tariff on its goods if it doesn’t remove its 34% counter-tariff.

Following Trump’s “Liberation Day” plan, which included a minimum 10% tariff on almost all U.S. trading partners and a 34% levy on Chinese goods, Beijing retaliated on Sunday. Trump then threatened to impose a 50% tax on China unless it removed its counter-tariff by Tuesday.

The additional imposition was referred to as “a mistake on top of a mistake” by China’s trade ministry, which also condemned the U.S. “blackmail.” In addition to the 34% tax last week and the 20% tariff already in place in March, U.S. corporations may be subject to up to 104% in total tariffs on Chinese imports if Trump fulfills his threat.

China accuses U.S of “naked extortion.”

Trump posted on Truth Social that if China doesn’t remove its 34% tariff by April 8th, 2025, the U.S. will impose an additional 50% tariff on China starting April 9th. He also stated that he would cancel all talks with China about their requested meetings.

In response, China’s official news outlet, Xinhua, sharply criticized Trump, calling his actions “naked extortion.” It argued that the U.S. logic was “utterly absurd” and claimed the U.S. was saying, “I can hit you at my will, and you must not respond. Instead, you must surrender unconditionally.” The editorial added, “This is not diplomacy. It is blunt coercion dressed up as policy.”

Trump rejects pause for negotiations

Trump pointed out that China retaliated with tariffs despite his warning that he would “immediately meet any country that retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional tariffs with new and substantially higher tariffs.”

China responded by criticizing the U.S. approach, with a spokesperson saying that pressuring China was not the right way to engage. Liu Pengyu called it a move of “unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying” and claimed the U.S. was putting its interests over international rules.

Trump said there could be permanent tariffs, but also negotiations, stating, “We have $36tn debt for a reason.” He emphasized that the U.S. would make a “fair deal” with China and others, adding, “It’s now America first.” The new tariffs would hurt Chinese manufacturers, who rely on the U.S. as a key export market.

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