US President Donald Trump's threat to impose an extra 50% tariff on Chinese imports has set off a vitriolic reaction from Beijing. In response to the declaration, China threatened with stern countermeasures, asserting that it would act resolutely to safeguard its national interests.
Terming Washington's plan as "a mistake on top of a mistake," the Chinese Commerce Ministry issued a strongly worded statement condemning the action. "The US threat to raise tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and again reveals the blackmailing nature of the US. China will never agree to this. If the US pushes for its own way, China will resist to the very end," the ministry said, as per reports.
Beijing also invoked historical comparisons with the reference to then-US President Ronald Reagan, who in a 1987 address cautioned that protectionist tariffs would invite foreign retaliation and punish American consumers. Quoting Reagan, China sought to highlight the risks in Trump's confrontational tariff approach.
In its latest statement, China branded the so-called retaliatory tariffs as "completely groundless and a typical unilateral bullying practice." It justified its own step in levying a 34% tariff on US products as a necessary measure, with the Commerce Ministry asserting, "The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order. They are completely legitimate," the Associated Press reports.
Trump had made the new threat on Monday, calling for China to roll back its 34% tariff increase by April 8, 2025. "If China doesn't rescind its 34% increase on top of their already longstanding trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will place ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th," he posted on Truth Social. Trump also pledged to end all current tariff negotiations with Beijing, declaring, "Furthermore, all talks with China about their asked-for meetings with us will be ended!
Should they be enforced, the new tariffs would increase the total tariff burden on Chinese imports to an astonishing 104%, fueling fears of an all-out trade war.
The US market response was immediate and drastic. Both the NASDAQ and S&P indices experienced one of their worst trading days in years. Although there was a short-lived rally — with the S&P jumping 3.4% on speculation of a possible 90-day tariff escalation hiatus — hope was soon extinguished after the White House denied those reports, sending the markets plummeting once more.
In spite of the market nervousness, Trump continued to be combative, boasting of diplomatic victories elsewhere. "We are making tremendous progress with a lot of countries. And the countries that really took advantage of us are now saying, 'Please negotiate,'" he stated.
After speaking with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba by phone, Trump added that Tokyo had offered to send a delegation to negotiate, marking the administration's eagerness to bargain — but selectively.
Read also| China’s Intensifying Drills Raise Alarm in Taiwan Over Potential Sudden Attack
Read also| Israel Alleges Hamas Sought $500 Million from Iran to Fund October 7 Attack
