US President Donald Trump has accused China of overreacting to American tariffs after Beijing announced a 34% tax on all US goods, intensifying the ongoing trade war between the two economic superpowers.
Speaking on Friday, Trump criticized the move as “a sign of panic,” referencing the new tariffs announced by China, which will take effect from April 10.
“China played it wrong, they panicked – the one thing they cannot afford to do,” Trump said, doubling down on his own decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports earlier this week.
Background of the Tariff Spat
Trump’s administration, as part of his “Liberation Day” economic agenda, imposed a 34% tariff on Chinese imports just days ago. This was in addition to the 20% duty introduced earlier this year, bringing the total US tariff burden on Chinese goods to 54%.
As a countermeasure, China’s Ministry of Finance stated that its 34% tariff on American products was a “direct response” to Washington’s escalating trade restrictions.
On Thursday, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce condemned the US actions as “unilateral bullying”, urging the US to return to fair and equal dialogue to resolve disputes.
Tariff Structure Changes
Under the newly announced US tariff system:
- All foreign goods, including those from China, will be subject to a baseline 10% tariff starting Saturday.
- Higher “reciprocal tariffs,” including the 34% increase on Chinese goods, will begin on April 9.
The sharp rise in duties is in line with Trump’s earlier campaign promise to push tariffs on Chinese imports to as high as 60%.
Growing Global Trade Tensions
The back-and-forth tariff increases are raising fears of a renewed global trade standoff, with potential ripple effects on global supply chains and economic growth. Several business sectors, especially tech, agriculture, and manufacturing, are expected to feel the brunt of these policy changes.
China and the US have a long-standing, complex economic relationship. Previous rounds of tariffs under Trump’s presidency led to market volatility and disrupted global trade flows. This latest move signals a possible return to aggressive trade nationalism, with broader implications beyond the bilateral dispute.
