Trump Threatens Additional 50% Tariff on China as Trade War Deepens

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

President Donald Trump on Monday issued a fresh warning to China, announcing plans to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods if Beijing fails to withdraw its latest round of retaliatory duties. The threat marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing trade war, which has sent shockwaves through global markets.

Trump’s announcement came in response to China's move last week to impose a 34% retaliatory tariff on American goods, compounding what the president described as longstanding trade abuses.

“Yesterday, China issued Retaliatory Tariffs of 34%, on top of their already record setting Tariffs, Non-Monetary Tariffs, Illegal Subsidization of companies, and massive long term Currency Manipulation,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He emphasized that his administration had previously warned against such retaliatory actions and would now respond forcefully.

“Therefore, 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,” Trump stated.

He also announced the cancellation of all upcoming trade meetings requested by China, stating that “negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately.”

The latest tariff threat follows two earlier rounds of 10% duties imposed by Trump since his return to office in January. Those measures, according to the White House, were introduced to counter the flow of illicit fentanyl from China into the United States. Last week, Trump further raised tariffs by 34% on all Chinese imports, set to take effect Wednesday.

If implemented, Trump’s new 50% tariff would bring the total tariff burden on Chinese goods to a staggering 104%.

As tensions rise, all eyes are on Beijing’s next move, while businesses and investors brace for potential economic fallout amid the intensifying trade dispute between the world's two largest economies.