Europe’s Olive Branch: As the US-China trade conflict intensifies, the EU, led by Ursula von der Leyen, offers a zero-for-zero tariff deal on industrial goods, aiming to strengthen ties with the US and counter global economic instability.
BY PC Bureau
US President Donald Trump has intensified his trade offensive against China, vowing to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing fails to retract its newly announced 34% reciprocal tariffs on US goods by April 8. The new tariffs, set to take effect on April 9, come atop an existing 34% levy on Chinese imports, further escalating tensions in an already strained trade relationship.
Trump’s announcement, made via Truthsocial on Monday, criticized China for what he called “record-setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidisation of companies, and massive long-term Currency Manipulation.”
He warned that failure to comply with his ultimatum would not only trigger the 50% tariff hike but also terminate all ongoing talks with Chinese officials. “Therefore, 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,” Trump posted. “Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated! Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately.”
The move follows China’s retaliatory announcement on Sunday, where its Finance Ministry declared a 34% tariff on all US goods, effective April 10, in response to Trump’s earlier imposition of tariffs on Chinese imports. Beijing also tightened the screws by imposing export controls on critical rare-earth elements—such as samarium, gadolinium, and dysprosium—effective April 4, a move seen as a counterpunch to US economic pressure.
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Meanwhile, the European Union has stepped forward with a conciliatory offer, proposing a zero-tariff trade deal with the US to bolster transatlantic ties amid the global economic turmoil sparked by Trump’s tariff policies. “Europe is ready to negotiate with the US. We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods,” EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Monday morning via X, signaling a stark contrast to the escalating US-China trade war.
Trump’s tariff campaign extends beyond China. On April 5, he unveiled “discounted” reciprocal tariffs, including a 26% levy on Indian goods, as part of a broader strategy targeting trading partners. However, Beijing remains the primary target, with the President accusing it of long-term trade abuses and issuing a tight deadline to reverse its latest measures.
As markets reel from the uncertainty, analysts warn that the tit-for-tat escalation could disrupt global supply chains and deepen economic instability. With April 9 looming, the world watches to see if China will blink—or if Trump’s aggressive trade stance will redefine the global economic landscape.
