Trump Threatens China with 50% Tariffs if Beijing Doesn’t Drop Levies

Trump threatens China with a 50% tariff if it doesn’t withdraw its counter-tariff, escalating global trade tensions. [Image via Politico]

Donald Trump has threatened China with an extra 50% tariff on goods imported into the US if it does not withdraw its 34% counter-tariff, as global markets continue to fall.

Beijing retaliated on Sunday, following last week’s decision by Trump to slap a 34% tax on Chinese imports as part of his “Liberation Day” that set a minimum 10% levy on nearly all of America’s trading partners.

In a social media post on Monday, Trump gave China until Tuesday to scrap its countermeasure or face the 50% tax.

In response, the Chinese embassy in the US accused Washington of “economic bullying”, and said that Beijing “will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests”.

If Trump acts on his threat, US companies could face a total rate of 104% on Chinese imports- as it comes on top of 20% tariffs already put in place in March and the 34% announced last week.

There are fears that this could deepen a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies and global rivals.

In his post on Truth Social, Trump also warned that “all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us [on tariffs] will be terminated!”

Also on Monday, the US president said he was not considering a pause on the global import tariffs to allow for negotiations with other countries.

“We’re not looking at that. We have many, many countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and there are going to be fair deals,” he said.

Trump said China had introduced its countermeasure “despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs… will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs”.

Beijing shot back, saying that “pressuring or threatening China is not a right way to engage”.

“The US hegemonic move in the name of ‘reciprocity’ serves its selfish interests at the expense of other countries’ legitimate interests and puts ‘America first’ over international rules,” Chinese embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said in a statement.

“This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.”

Speaking from the White House, the US president said there could be both permanent tariffs and negotiations.

“We have $36tn (£28tn) debt for a reason,” Trump said, adding that the US would be talking to China among other countries to make a “fair deal and a good deal”.

“It’s now America first,” said Trump.

The tariffs would come as a major blow to China’s manufacturers, for whom the US is a key market for exports.

China’s top exports to the US include electrical products and other machinery, computers, furniture, toys, vehicles and equipment.

The US’s top exports to China are oilseeds and grains, as well aircraft, machinery and pharmaceuticals.

Uncertainty around the tariffs led to a turbulent day on global stock markets.

Markets worldwide have plunged since Trump announced the global tariffs.

The value of US stock markets dropped sharply again on opening on Monday, while Europe’s biggest markets, including London’s FTSE 100, closed more than 4% down.

Asian share indexes had nosedived on Monday, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index falling by more than 13%, its biggest one-day fall since 1997. However, most showed a slight correction on Tuesday with most bourses opening higher.

The impact on the FTSE 100, America’s S&P 500, Germany’s Dax and Japan’s Nikkei has been wide-ranging.

Getty Images A cargo ship piled high with containers sails from Qingdao Qianwan Container Terminal in Qingdao.
A cargo ship at the Qianwan Container Terminal in Qingdao, China

Also See: EU Signals Readiness for Tariff-Free Trade Pact with US, But Will Retaliate If Needed

Negotiations

Trump’s post on Monday also indicated that negotiations on countries’ tariff rates would “begin taking place immediately”.

Trump met Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, on Monday in the White House. Netanyahu said that his country would eliminate the trade imbalance with the US, which he said was the “right thing to do”.

“We intend to do it very quickly… and we’re going to also eliminate trade barriers.”

Israel faces a 17% tariff from April 9 under Trump’s “Liberation Day” policy.

The US president also posted earlier that Japan was sending a negotiation team to discuss tariffs.

And Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, offered Trump a “zero-for-zero tariff” deal – although she previously said that she had not ruled out retaliation.

“We are also prepared to respond through countermeasures and defend our interests,” she said.

Trump said later that the EU had been formed “to really do damage to the United States and trade”.

This news is sourced from BBC and is intended for informational purposes only.

News Desk

Your trusted source for insightful journalism. Stay informed with our compelling coverage of global affairs, business, technology, and more.

Recent

The Nobel Peace Prize or War Prize? A History of Controversial Laureates.

The Nobel Peace Prize or War Prize? A History of Controversial Laureates

Far from being an impartial recognition of pacifism, the Nobel Peace Prize’s legacy is marred by controversial laureates whose actions have been linked to immense violence. The prize is not a universal arbiter of peace but a political instrument reflecting a Western-centric worldview, rewarding figures who align with its geopolitical interests, regardless of the blood on their hands.

Read More »
An analysis of a false Financial Times report on a Pakistan-US port deal, its journalistic flaws, and its weaponization for political gain.

Geopolitics, Journalism, and the Anatomy of a False Narrative

A recent Financial Times story claimed Pakistan was pitching a new Arabian Sea port to the US Built on anonymous sources and logical flaws, the report was quietly corrected. This article dissects how the flimsy reporting was weaponized by domestic and regional actors to push a false narrative, revealing more about their political agendas than Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Read More »
An analysis of the Trump Gaza peace plan. Despite Hamas's surprise support, deep divides over security and sovereignty threaten any chance of lasting peace.

The Promises and Perils of the New Gaza Plan

A new Gaza peace plan by Donald Trump has international backing and a surprising partial acceptance from Hamas. However, its journey toward lasting peace is threatened by critical deal-breakers and the unresolved core question of Palestinian political sovereignty.

Read More »
Pakistan’s associate membership at CERN marks a milestone in science and technology collaboration. By partnering with the world’s leading particle physics center, Pakistan is strengthening innovation, research, and high-tech industry integration, paving the way for economic and scientific advancement.

Pakistan’s Path to Innovation through CERN Partnership

Pakistan’s growing partnership with CERN highlights its rising role in global science and technology. As the first South Asian state to become an associate member, Pakistan is advancing research, training young scientists, and opening doors for high-tech industry and innovation through its collaboration with the world’s leading particle physics center.

Read More »