U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday issued a stark warning to China, threatening to impose massive new tariffs if Beijing does not back down from its latest retaliatory trade measures.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared, “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%, effective April 9th.”
The warning comes as tensions between the world’s two largest economies intensify. Last week, Trump announced a new round of steep tariffs on Chinese goods, citing China’s alleged involvement in the fentanyl supply chain. This included a 20% hike, with an additional 34% duty set to take effect on Wednesday, pushing the total tariff burden to 54%.
In response, Beijing has unveiled countermeasures, including export restrictions on rare earth elements and a 34% tariff on U.S. goods, which is scheduled to go into effect on April 10. These tariffs will stack atop existing Chinese trade levies.
It remains unclear how Trump’s new 50% tariff threat would align with or replace the already announced measures.
Trump also used his platform to criticize China’s trade policies, accusing it of using “non-monetary tariffs” and providing “illegal subsidisation of companies.” He stated that all communications with China regarding requested trade meetings would be cut off. However, he noted that the U.S. would immediately begin trade negotiations with other countries that have shown interest.
The escalating rhetoric signals a potential deepening of the trade conflict, with global markets and supply chains watching closely for the next move.
