Trump Threatens a 50% Tariff Hike on Chinese Products

US President Donald Trump is threatening to hike tariffs on Chinese products to 50% after the Asian country announced 34% tariffs on products from the United States. The announcement is escalating trade war tensions and shaking global stock exchanges. 

On April 2, 2025, the US government announced the imposition of “reciprocal tariffs” on most countries, including China. This move was met with swift retaliation from the Asian country, which announced its own set of additional tariffs on US imports just days later.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump responded directly to China’s tariffs, posting on Truth Social that China’s decision to impose a 34% tariff increase on US goods was a direct challenge to its interests. Trump emphasized that this retaliation was in defiance of his earlier warnings and stated that if China did not withdraw its new tariffs by April 8, 2025, the United States would impose even higher tariffs of 50%, effective April 9, 2025. Additionally, Trump declared that all talks with China regarding their requested meetings would be terminated, while negotiations with other countries would begin immediately.

On April 4, in a formal statement issued by China’s State Council Tariff Commission, the Chinese government condemned the US move as being in violation of international trade norms. China called US actions “unilateral bullying,” and argued that they undermined China’s legitimate rights and interests. Chinese authorities said they would impose a 34% tariff on US imports starting at 12:01 AM on April 10, 2025.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce added that its policies toward foreign investment remained unchanged. During a roundtable meeting with US-funded companies, including Tesla, GE Healthcare, and Medtronic, Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce, reiterated China’s commitment to reform, despite the ongoing global trade tensions. Ling said that China would continue to safeguard the legitimate interests of foreign enterprises operating in the country, including US businesses.

Lin Jian, China’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson criticized the US approach, accusing the country of putting “America first” at the expense of international rules and the development rights of other nations, particularly those in the Global South. Lin stressed that the US tariff hikes disproportionately affect less developed countries, exacerbating global economic inequalities and hindering efforts toward sustainable development, particularly the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.