BY PC Bureau
, April 9, 2025 – The trade war between the United States and China intensified today as China announced it will impose an additional 84% tariff on all US goods starting Thursday, April 10. This move comes as a direct response to President Donald Trump’s decision to implement a staggering 104% tariff on Chinese imports, which took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 9. The escalating tariff battle has sent shockwaves through global markets, raising fears of a deepening economic conflict between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s finance ministry confirmed the retaliatory tariffs, marking a significant escalation from its earlier 34% tariff on US goods, which was announced in response to Trump’s initial tariff hikes. The decision follows Trump’s refusal to back down after Beijing declined to withdraw its earlier retaliatory measures, prompting the US to increase its tariffs on Chinese goods to 104%.
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China’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, condemned the US actions as “unilateral bullying” and vowed that Beijing would “fight to the end” to protect its interests, emphasizing that “the Chinese people’s legitimate right to development is inalienable.”
The US tariffs, which Trump has described as “reciprocal,” are part of a broader strategy to address what he calls unfair trade practices that harm American workers. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the policy, stating, “When America is punched, it punches back harder.” She accused China of exacerbating economic difficulties for US workers and reiterated Trump’s commitment to reviving American manufacturing by encouraging companies to relocate to the US. However, critics argue that the tariffs could lead to higher prices for US consumers, particularly for goods like electronics, toys, and clothing, which are heavily imported from China.
Global financial markets have reacted sharply to the escalating trade tensions. On Wednesday, the Asian and European markets slumped, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 ending the day 3.9% lower and South Korea’s Kospi losing 1.7%. The Bank of England warned that Trump’s tariffs increase the risk of lower global growth, higher inflation, and financial instability, highlighting the broader implications of the trade war.
#China hits back at the #US. Raises tariffs to 84% matching the extra 50% Potus levied.
If Potus thought #China really would roll over he truly is delusional. They just upped the ante. They might break him. https://t.co/H8caJ6IuoV pic.twitter.com/jALEmJSPSI
— Mojo (@Mojo_flyin) April 9, 2025
China’s latest tariffs are expected to hit US agricultural products particularly hard, building on earlier measures that targeted goods like soybeans, corn, and poultry. The US, in turn, has imposed additional duties on low-value Chinese imports and pharmaceuticals, with Trump signing an executive order to triple tariffs on goods worth less than $800 from China to 90%, effective next month. This move is likely to impact American consumers who rely on affordable products from platforms like Shein, Temu, and AliExpress.
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The trade conflict has also drawn responses from other nations. Canada implemented 25% tariffs on US autos not compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on Wednesday, while the European Union is set to vote on retaliatory measures against Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs. Japan, a key US ally, expressed feelings of betrayal, with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba calling the situation a “national crisis” and urging unity in the face of economic challenges.
As the tariff war continues to unfold, both the US and China show little willingness to negotiate. Trump has claimed the tariffs are bringing in “almost $2 billion a day” and insists they will make America “very rich again very soon,” while China remains defiant, with Lin Jian stating, “China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests are inviolable.” The ongoing standoff raises questions about the long-term impact on global trade, economic stability, and the potential for further escalation in US-China relations.
