Trump threatens China with added 50% tariffs if Beijing does not drop its own levies
As US president aims at China for responding with tariffs of its own and dismisses global market jitters, some on Wall Street voice concern
US President Donald Trump warned China on Monday that its imports would face an additional 50 per cent tariff – raising the total levy to more than 100 per cent – unless it lifts the retaliatory levies it imposed on American goods in response to the Trump administration’s heavy new duties last week.
“If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated,” he threatened in a post on his Truth Social account.
Trump has stood firm on the steep “reciprocal” tariffs he imposed on all imports entering the US, set to take effect on Wednesday, including a 34 per cent duty on Chinese goods. In response, Beijing imposed its own 34 per cent tariffs on US products.
He lashed out at China for striking back, accusing Beijing of imposing additional tariffs “on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation” despite his warnings against such actions.
Shortly after taking office in January, Trump imposed a 20 per cent additional tariff on Chinese imports, ostensibly for failing to do enough to combat the illegal flow of illicit drugs into the US. Following last week’s 34 per cent tariff increase, the total now stands at 54 per cent.
If the new 50 per cent tariffs are imposed on Wednesday, Chinese imports to the US would face a combined duty of 104 per cent.
