The United States has intensified its trade conflict with China, announcing a steep 104% tariff on Chinese imports after Beijing failed to meet a Tuesday deadline to lift its retaliatory tariffs.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, confirmed the new tariffs during a press briefing on Tuesday, stating they would take effect at midnight on April 9.
Leavitt reiterated Trump’s belief that China made a strategic error by retaliating against earlier U.S. tariffs.
“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 also noted that Trump would be “gracious” if Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to negotiate a deal, signalling a potential opening for dialogue despite the escalating tensions.
The move followed Trump’s assertion that China is eager to “make a deal badly.”
The additional 104% tariff builds on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs plan, which already included significant levies on Chinese goods.
LEADERSHIP recalls that China responded to Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff with a 34% reciprocal tariff on U.S. imports, vowing to “fight to the end” and accusing the U.S. of “blackmail.”
The Trump administration has justified its aggressive trade measures by accusing China of employing non-market policies that grant it “global dominance in key manufacturing industries” and “decimating U.S. industry.”
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump emphasised the importance of tariffs to his economic agenda.
He stated, “We’re not looking at that,” in response to calls for tariff relief, while leaving the door open for “fair deals and good deals with every country.”
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