Trump imposes 104% tariff on China after missed deadline 

The Trump administration has intensified its commerce battle with China, saying a steep 104% tariff on Chinese language imports after Beijing failed to fulfill a Tuesday deadline to raise its retaliatory tariffs.

This transfer follows President Donald Trump’s assertion that China is keen to “make a deal badly.” 

White Home Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the brand new tariffs throughout a press briefing on Tuesday, stating they’d take impact at midnight on April 9.

Leavitt reiterated Trump’s perception that China made a strategic error by retaliating in opposition to earlier U.S. tariffs.

She remarked, “The president, when America is punched, he punches again tougher, that’s why there will probably be 104% tariffs going into impact on China tonight at midnight.” 

Leavitt additionally famous that Trump can be “gracious” if Chinese language President Xi Jinping sought to barter a deal, signaling a possible opening for dialogue regardless of the escalating tensions.

Background and international reactions 

The extra 104% tariff builds on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs plan, which already included important levies on Chinese language items.

• On April 4, Trump declared “Liberation Day” whereas unveiling a listing of tariffs, prompting blended reactions globally.
• Some nations sought to barter higher commerce phrases with the U.S., whereas China responded with a 34% reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports, vowing to “battle to the tip” and accusing the U.S. of “blackmail.” 

The Trump administration has justified its aggressive commerce measures by accusing China of using non-market insurance policies that grant it “international dominance in key manufacturing industries” and “decimating U.S. business.” 

Trump’s stance on tariffs 

Regardless of outreach from buying and selling companions in search of reduction from the levies, Trump stays resolute in his tariff technique.

• Throughout a gathering with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump emphasised the significance of tariffs to his financial agenda.

He said, “We’re not taking a look at that,” in response to requires tariff reduction, whereas leaving the door open for “truthful offers and good offers with each nation.” 

What you must know 

On Tuesday, the Chinese language Commerce Ministry, via state information company Xinhua, declared its unwavering opposition to Washington’s proposed 50% tariff hike on Chinese language imports, vowing to take decisive countermeasures to guard its nationwide pursuits.

• In a strongly worded assertion, the Commerce Ministry criticized the U.S. for what it described as “unilateral bullying” and “blackmail.”
• The Ministry asserted that the proposed tariff escalation is each groundless and a violation of worldwide commerce norms.

It emphasised that China’s countermeasures are authentic actions geared toward safeguarding its sovereignty, safety, and developmental pursuits whereas sustaining a secure worldwide commerce order.

The Ministry additional accused the U.S. of compounding its errors with the tariff escalation menace, which it argued undermines international commerce stability.