Donald Trump’s 104% tariff on China takes effect today; Beijing vows to “fight to the end” | World News
Tariff War: A new wave imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump takes effect at midnight on Tuesday (ETT), and China faces the steepest hike – an unprecedented 104% of goods. The move marks Washington’s strong position on trade and has triggered a sharp response from Beijing.
India is also one of the countries that have been hit hard and is now facing a 26% tariff on exports to the United States.
Despite negotiations with nearly 70 trading partners, the Trump administration has made it clear that tariffs will not wait for negotiations to draw conclusions.
“As these reciprocal tariffs will continue to be in effect as these deals are negotiated,” White House spokesman Karoline Levitt said.
Trump has promoted specific trade agreements in specific countries, rather than a prescribed full policy. “The president met with his trade team this morning and he directed them to make a tailored trade deal with every country that calls on this administration to reach an agreement and listen to it,” Levitt said.
“Each of these trade agreements should be tailored and unique… The president is focused on putting the United States first,” she added.
President Trump expressed disappointment with China’s response as Beijing retaliated against a series of its own tariffs rather than joining negotiations. “The whole administration has been saying that President Trump is willing to answer the phone and speak,” Levitt said.
However, China has taken a firm stance. “In addition to one mistake, the U.S. threat to tariffs on China is a mistake, which once again exposes the “rassip nature” of the U.S.,” a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.
“If the United States insists on acting in its own way, China will fight to the end,” the ministry warned.
Lin Jian, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also put forward a provocative tone: “Let me once again emphasize that there is no winner in trade wars and tariffs, and protectionism has no way out. The Chinese people will never cause trouble, and we are not afraid of trouble… Pressure, threats and advice China is not the right way to interact with us.”
This selling tat upgraded after the U.S. announced a 34% tariff on Chinese products last week.
(Using PTI, IANS input)
