[WASHINGTON] US President Donald Trump on Monday (Apr 7) threatened huge additional tariffs on imports from China if Beijing did not withdraw its retaliation plans, adding that Washington would begin negotiations with other countries that want them.
“If China does not withdraw its 34 per cent increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the US will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50 per cent, effective April 9th,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Beijing has issued countermeasures after Trump announced another sharp tariff hike on goods from the world’s second biggest economy last week.
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has imposed 20 per cent added duties on Chinese imports over its alleged role in the fentanyl supply chain.
A fresh 34 per cent levy on the country’s products is due to kick in Wednesday, bringing the added rate this year to 54 per cent.
It is not immediately clear how Trump’s new threat factors into this calculation.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
China’s response included export controls on rare earth elements, and Beijing plans for its own 34 per cent tariff on US goods, stacking atop existing Chinese levies set to begin Apr 10.
Trump took aim at Beijing’s economic practices on social media on Monday, criticising its “non-monetary tariffs” and “illegal subsidisation of companies.”
He added that “all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated.”
But “negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. AFP
Share with us your feedback on BT’s products and services
