President Donald Trump on Monday escalated his rhetoric on trade promising additional tariffs on China if they fail to remove their retaliatory 34 percent tariff by Tuesday.
‘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 percent effective April 9th,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
The president also warned that negotiations and trade talks with China would be canceled, if they refused to back down.
‘Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!’ he wrote.
Trump continues his defiance against China despite harsh retaliatory actions announced by Chinese officials on Friday.
Beijing announced Friday they would impose reciprocal 34 percent tariffs on all imports from the United States.
China’s State Council Tariff Commission condemned Trump’s decision to level tariffs as ‘typical unilateral bullying practice,’ from the United States that was ‘not in line with international trade rules.’
Trump was angered by China’s response, signaling his disappointment on Truth Social on Friday.
President Donald Trump waves while crossing the South Lawn after exiting Marine One at White House
Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the Global Trade in Services Summit
‘China played it wrong, they panicked – the one thing they cannot afford to do!’ Trump wrote.
Trump continues to defend his dramatic tariffs despite three days of heavy losses in the stock market.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday offered an extensive defense of the administration’s decision to level heavy tariffs on global trade, arguing that the president had successfully reset relations with China.
One of the biggest goals, Bessent said, was to redirect trade with China for the benefit of American workers.
‘I don’t know if they can retaliate,’ he said, pointing to the unbalanced nature of trade between the United States and China.
Bessent was optimistic that the Chinese would ultimately make a deal with the United States.
‘Over the next few years, they may have to come around because I think their business model is broken, I think President Donald has broken their business model with these tariffs,’ he explained.
