In a sharp escalation of the ongoing trade war with China, US President Donald Trump has announced a dramatic increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, raising them to 125%, effective immediately.
The move comes as part of Trump's continued efforts to combat what he perceives as unfair trade practices by China.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump expressed frustration with China’s trade practices, particularly regarding its influence over global markets.
“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the U.S.A. and other countries is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” Trump wrote.
The 125% tariff increase marks a significant jump from previous rates, further intensifying tensions between the two global powers. The tariff hike follows months of escalating trade disputes, with both nations imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.
The move could have far-reaching consequences for businesses, consumers, and global supply chains.
Alongside the tariff increase on China, Trump also revealed plans to pause some of the tariffs imposed on other countries. He announced that for a period of 90 days, a reciprocal tariff of 10% would be applied to certain nations that have reached out to the US for trade negotiations.
Trump explained that this gesture was a reward for those countries that had not retaliated against the US and had shown a willingness to discuss trade barriers, tariffs, and currency manipulation.
“These countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States,” Trump stated.
The scope of this pause remains unclear, as it is not immediately evident whether the 10% tariff applies to all nations subject to US tariffs, or just the 75 countries that reached out to negotiate.
The announcement comes amid ongoing global concerns about the impact of trade tensions on economic stability. Critics argue that Trump's aggressive tariff strategy could lead to higher costs for consumers and damage relations with key trading partners.
