In a retaliatory move, China has announced a 34% tariff on all American imports, set to take effect on April 10.
This new measure comes as a direct response to the sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week, marking a significant escalation in global trade tensions.
The Chinese Finance Ministry confirmed the decision, stating that all goods originating from the U.S. will face the additional 34% levy on top of the existing tariff rates.
The announcement was made public through an official statement, quoted by AFP, which emphasized China’s intention to impose a “reciprocal” tariff as a countermeasure against Trump’s recent actions.
This escalation follows Trump’s introduction of what he calls the “Liberation Day” tariffs, which include a baseline 10% tariff on most imports and significantly higher duties on certain nations, including China.
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The new tariffs are part of Trump’s broader trade strategy, which also targets close allies such as the European Union, Japan, and Israel, with additional duties aimed at protecting U.S. industries and reducing trade imbalances.
China’s response also includes tightening export restrictions on rare earth elements—key materials used in high-tech industries like semiconductor chips and electric vehicle batteries.
These elements are crucial to many advanced technological products, and the restrictions could significantly disrupt supply chains in the global tech sector.
In addition to the tariffs, China has expressed its intention to challenge the U.S. measures at the World Trade Organization (WTO), signaling that it will pursue legal action to seek a resolution to the growing trade dispute.
This dramatic escalation in tariffs between two of the world’s largest economies comes amid ongoing tensions over trade practices, intellectual property rights, and economic imbalances.
Both the U.S. and China have been engaged in a prolonged trade war, which has seen multiple rounds of tariff increases and retaliations, affecting industries, businesses, and consumers globally.
