China hits back hard—matching Trump’s shockwaves with its own.
China has officially announced a sweeping 34% tariff on all imports from the United States, set to take effect April 10, in what Beijing describes as a necessary countermeasure to President Trump’s new “reciprocal tariff” policy. The move marks China’s most aggressive trade retaliation in years—and could escalate tensions into a full-blown economic war.
“There is no winner in a trade war. We urge the U.S. to reverse course immediately,” a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.
The tariffs will cover a broad range of goods—everything from American agricultural exports to technology components and automobiles. With more than $150 billion in U.S. exports flowing into China annually, the new tax threatens to hit key sectors already reeling from Trump’s import duties.
What’s Being Targeted? While Chinese officials didn’t release a detailed product list, analysts expect the blow to land hardest on:
- U.S. farmers, who rely heavily on Chinese demand for soybeans, corn, and pork.
- Tech companies, particularly semiconductor firms and chipmakers.
- Automakers, who already face a 25% tariff from Trump’s side.
Why It Matters China’s announcement comes less than 48 hours after President Trump imposed baseline 10% tariffs on all foreign goods, with higher rates (20–54%) hitting dozens of nations. Beijing’s 34% response is seen as both symbolic and economically consequential.
According to estimates from Barclays and Nomura:
- The U.S.-China tariff standoff could shave 1.2–1.6 percentage points off global GDP growth if sustained through 2025.
- U.S. inflation could jump by an additional 1.5 percentage points, compounding the pressure already created by Trump’s policies.
What’s Next
- April 9: U.S. “worst offender” reciprocal tariffs go live
- April 10: China’s 34% retaliatory tariffs take effect
With both powers now fully engaged, traders, manufacturers, and consumers worldwide are bracing for higher prices, supply chain disruptions—and the return of global trade uncertainty.
This is no longer a warning shot. It’s trade war 2.0.
Related: Trump Announces Tiered Tariffs on China, EU, India, Others — “This Is Just the Start”
‘No Winner In A Trade War’: China, EU And Others React To Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs
This Is the Largest Tax Shock in Nearly 60 Years
Here’s What Will Cost More After Trump’s Tariffs: Coffee, Cars, More
