Trade tensions between the US and China are mounting once again, as President Donald Trump announced plans to raise tariffs on Chinese imports by an additional 50% if Beijing proceeds with its proposed retaliatory duties.
Trump said on Monday via Truth Social that the new tariffs would take effect on Wednesday unless China reverses its decision to impose 34% duties on American goods, which are currently scheduled to come into force on Thursday.
“Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated,” he wrote.
“Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately.”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later clarified that, should China fail to withdraw, the total tariff burden on its goods would rise to 104%.
This would include the new 50% hike, the 34% levy announced the previous week and two prior 10% increases introduced in February and March.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce responded swiftly, vowing that it would not yield to pressure.
A spokesperson said Beijing would introduce countermeasures if the US went ahead with the proposed tariff escalation.
While specific retaliatory steps were not outlined, the ministry called for all unilateral tariffs against China to be scrapped.
Trump also issued a broader warning to other nations, stating that any retaliatory moves against the US would result in ‘new and substantially higher’ tariffs beyond those currently in place.
The developments come shortly after a US trade policy review concluded that China had failed to uphold its commitments under the 2020 trade agreement.
In response to earlier measures by the Trump administration, China has imposed duties on a range of US goods this year, from agricultural products to vehicles and energy equipment, while also tightening restrictions on American companies.
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