US Tariffs on China to Rise to 104%: The White House

The White House announced that tariffs on all goods imported from China will rise to 104% on April 9, 2025. This announcement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt follows previous tariff actions taken by Donald Trump’s administration.

According to Leavitt, the increase includes a previously scheduled 34% tariff increase as part of a reciprocal trade package. An additional 50% was added after China did not retract its plan to impose 34% retaliatory tariffs on US goods. This results in a total increase of 84% in duties, on top of existing tariffs.

China's Ministry of Commerce issued a statement earlier expressing strong opposition to the additional 50% tariffs, labeling it as a "mistake upon a mistake" and vowing to escalate its retaliation on US exports.

Following Leavitt's comments, US stock markets experienced a downturn. The DOW, NASDAQ, and S&P 500, which had been positive in the morning, all moved into negative territory by 3 p.m.

Leavitt told reporters that president Trump believes countries that retaliate against the United States are making a mistake. “Countries like China, who have chosen to retaliate and try to double down on their mistreatment of US workers, are making a mistake. President Trump has a spine of steel, and he will not break,” she stated. She also said China wants a trade agreement but lacks the understanding of how to achieve one. Leavitt did not specify any conditions under which the United States would consider lowering the tariffs.

China was the second-largest source of imports for the United States in 2024, with US$439 billion in goods shipped. The United States exported US$144 billion worth of goods to China during the same period, as reported by CNN. The imposition of these tariffs is expected to negatively impact both countries’ domestic industries and potentially lead to job losses