By The United States has escalated its trade war with China, imposing a massive 104% tariff on Chinese imports after Beijing missed a deadline to lift its retaliatory tariffs. The move signals further economic tensions between the two global powers.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the new tariffs during a Tuesday briefing, stating they would take effect at midnight on April 9. She reiterated former President Donald Trump’s stance, emphasizing that the U.S. would respond forcefully to China’s trade actions.
“The president, when America is punched, he punches back harder, that’s why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight,” Leavitt declared. Despite the tough stance, she added that Trump would be “gracious” if Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to renegotiate trade terms.
Trump has insisted that China is desperate to reach a deal, justifying the tariff hike as part of his broader economic policy. The additional levies build upon previous measures aimed at countering what the U.S. describes as China’s unfair trade practices.
Beijing, however, has vowed to fight back, having previously imposed a 34% tariff on U.S. imports in response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. Chinese officials have accused Washington of economic blackmail and pledged to resist pressure.
Speaking alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump reinforced his commitment to tariffs, dismissing calls for relief. “We’re not looking at that,” he said, while leaving the door open for “fair deals and good deals with every country.”
