Washington, D.C. [US], April 9 (ANI): In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing trade war, the White House on Tuesday (local time) announced a sweeping 104 per cent tariff on Chinese imports, set to take effect Wednesday. The move marks a significant intensification of the tariff tensions that have roiled global markets in recent days.
At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stressed that China’s decision to retaliate against the US was a grave miscalculation. She underscored that America responds forcefully when provoked.
“It was a mistake for China to retaliate. When America is punched, it punches back harder. That’s why a 104 per cent tariff will come into effect tonight,” Leavitt declared. “If China reaches out to negotiate, the President will be incredibly gracious.”
Leavitt explained that the tariffs are part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to counter what it views as unfair Chinese trade practices, which have contributed to job losses and economic harm for American workers.
“President Trump has made it crystal clear: the era of American economic surrender is over,” she said. “No longer will American workers and companies be ripped off by foolish trade practices that ship millions of high-paying jobs overseas and hollow out our communities.”
She further warned that countries like China, which continue to retaliate, are only compounding their errors.
“President Trump has a spine of steel, and he will not break — nor will America under his leadership.”
Leavitt confirmed there were no plans to extend or delay the tariffs, though she noted that President Trump remained open to direct talks.
“Since the Liberation Day announcement, nearly 70 countries have already reached out to the President to start negotiations,” she said, adding that Trump had instructed his trade team to pursue tailor-made agreements with every country engaging the administration.
The Press Secretary also elaborated on the broader rationale behind the tariff measures, explaining they address not just direct monetary tariffs imposed by foreign nations but also non-monetary barriers that hinder American trade.
“These tariffs target both the financial burdens and the hidden barriers other countries place on US goods,” she clarified.
The new tariffs follow President Trump’s threat on Sunday to impose an additional 50 per cent tariff hike on China, after Beijing announced a 34 per cent retaliatory tariff increase following the US’s Liberation Day announcement on April 2.
Meanwhile, China has condemned the US’s actions as “groundless,” labelling them a unilateral bullying tactic, according to a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce.
“They’ve made enough, for decades, taking advantage of the Good OL’ USA! Our past ‘leaders’ are to blame for allowing this, and so much else, to happen to our Country. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
With global markets in freefall and a deadline of April 8 set by the US president, the next 24 hours are likely to be critical for US-China trade relations and investor confidence worldwide. (ANI
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