Donald Trump has issued a warning about imposing further tariffs on China following its retaliatory measures against his ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs.
On April 2, the President of the United States announced tariffs totaling 54 percent against China, which included existing duties. He described this move as a historic moment for American industry, coining it as ‘the day American industry was reborn, the day America’s destiny was reclaimed, and the day that we began to ‘Make America Wealthy Again’.’
The reaction from the affected countries was swift, with China announcing a 34 percent tariff on US goods effective April 10.
In response, China has halted imports of sorghum, poultry, and bonemeal from specific American firms and initiated legal proceedings, arguing that the US tariffs breach World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations.
Trump expressed his displeasure with China’s response on Truth Social, asserting that China had ‘played it wrong’.
“THEY PANICKED – THE ONE THING THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO!,” he commented following China’s initial announcement.
Recently, Trump took to Truth Social again to caution China about the consequences of not retracting its tariffs.
In his statement, he wrote: “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, despite my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation, will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those initially set.”
He added: “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. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!
“Negotiations with other countries, which have also requested meetings, will begin taking place immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
China’s foreign affairs spokesperson Lin Jian has criticized the US for its tariffs, accusing it of ‘economic bullying’.
Addressing the media, he stated: “Putting the US first over international rules is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying.”
Lin cautioned that China would not respond favorably to ‘threats’, akin to those recently issued by Trump.
He remarked: “Pressure and threats are not the way to deal with China. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.”