US President Donald Trump warned China on Monday that its imports would face an additional 50 per cent tariff unless it lifts the retaliatory levies it imposed on American goods in response to the Trump administration’s heavy new duties last week.
“If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated,” he threatened in a social media post.
Trump has stood firm on the steep “reciprocal” tariffs he imposed on all imports entering the US, set to take effect on Wednesday, including a 34 per cent duty on Chinese goods. In response, Beijing imposed its own 34 per cent tariffs on US products.
He lashed out at China for striking back, accusing Beijing of imposing additional tariffs “on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation” despite his warnings against such actions.
In a flurry of early Monday social media posts, Trump took aim at “biggest abuser” China, brushed off global market jitters, voiced confidence in the US economy, and told Americans not to be “stupid” or “weak”.
On their opening Monday, US markets continued a sell-off from last week, with the Dow Jones Industrial, S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes all dropping another 4 per cent or more.