International

Trump Threatens Fresh 50% Tariffs on China

Published

5 days ago

Apr 7, 2025.

Trump threatens 50% tariff hike if China maintains retaliation.
US-China trade war intensifies with potential 104% tariff rate.
Trump ends China talks, opens door to other negotiations.

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to impose massive additional tariffs on Chinese imports if Beijing does not withdraw its planned retaliatory measures.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the White House told AFP that the proposed action would stack on an already steep 34 percent tariff set to take effect on Wednesday, pushing the total to a highly prohibitive level.

EDITOR’S PICKS

“If China does not withdraw its 34 percent increase above their already long-term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50 percent, effective April 9th,” Trump announced on his Truth Social platform.

This development follows Trump’s broader strategy to apply “reciprocal” tariffs against countries with large trade deficits with the United States. Last week, Trump unveiled a 34 percent additional tariff on China, which will be enforced from Wednesday.

Beijing has responded in kind, announcing matching tariffs set to begin on April 10, in addition to existing duties. China has also rolled out other countermeasures, including export controls on rare earth elements critical to global manufacturing.

Since returning to office, Trump has introduced a 20 percent tariff on Chinese imports, citing Beijing’s alleged role in fueling the fentanyl crisis in the United States. With the impending 34 percent tariff and the threatened 50 percent hike, the additional tariff rate could rise to 104 percent this year, the White House said.

The White House also noted that these new tariffs add to the ones Trump implemented during his first term, which his successor, Joe Biden, largely maintained and even expanded in certain sectors.

Trump 50% Tariffs on China

On Monday, Trump further attacked China’s economic policies on social media, accusing Beijing of using “non-monetary tariffs” and “illegal subsidization of companies.” He also declared an end to all ongoing talks with China, saying, “all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated.”

However, Trump noted that discussions with other countries seeking negotiations with the United States would begin immediately.