US President Donald Trump Threatens Additional Tariffs on Chinese Imports Amid Rising Global Economic Tensions
In a bitter trade war escalation, US President Donald Trump has threatened to put a steep 50% tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing does not roll back its retaliatory tariffs by April 8, 2025.
The move, which lifts total tariffs on Chinese imports to 104%, is a part of a bitter US-China trade war that has driven increased world market uncertainty.
Trump’s threat comes as U.S. stocks are experiencing wild volatility. The S&P 500 briefly entered bear market territory as the market reacted to the heightened risk of additional economic dislocation. Volatility in the stock market has been fueled by fears that Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy will trigger a downturn in the domestic and world economies.
Following Trump’s threats, China retaliated by threatening “all necessary measures” in defense of its economic interests if the U.S. proceeds with additional tariffs. Tensions are building but, Chinese officials said they are happy to negotiate with the U.S. to settle the conflict peacefully.
They also asserted that they are prepared to retaliate, however.
The levies, if they are enacted, would have serious consequences on global trade with both countries experiencing reduced access to markets and supply chain disruptions.
Their economic consequences already become apparent in the stock markets as a sharp drop in global equity indexes as they are exposed to fears of a trade war.
