President Donald Trump announced a significant escalation in the ongoing trade war with China, stating he would immediately raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%.
At the same time, he declared a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for other countries, signaling a strategic shift in U.S. trade policy.
This move, detailed in statements covered by multiple news outlets, reflects Trump’s continued focus on confronting Beijing while offering a temporary reprieve to other trading partners.
According to Fox Business, Trump justified the steep increase in Chinese tariffs by citing Beijing’s “lack of respect” toward America.
The article, published earlier today, quoted the president saying he is “immediately raising the tariffs on Chinese goods to 125%,” a jump from the previous rate of 104% that took effect at midnight.
This decision comes on the heels of China’s own tariff hikes on U.S. goods, intensifying the tit-for-tat trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt elaborated on the policy, framing it as a necessary response to China’s trade practices.
Meanwhile, Trump’s decision to pause reciprocal tariffs on over 75 other countries was highlighted in the same Fox Business report.
He noted that these nations had reached out to U.S. representatives to “negotiate a solution” on trade issues, including tariffs, currency manipulation, and non-monetary barriers.
During the 90-day pause, the tariff rate for these countries will be set at 10%, a significant reduction aimed at fostering dialogue.
Trump emphasized that these countries had refrained from retaliation “at my strong suggestion,” suggesting a diplomatic win for his administration.
Reuters provided additional context, reporting earlier this week that Trump had initially resisted pausing tariffs to negotiate with trading partners.
On April 7, the outlet quoted him saying he would impose an additional 50% tariff on China if Beijing did not retract its retaliatory measures.
However, today’s announcement marks a shift, with Reuters noting that the 90-day pause explicitly excludes China, underscoring Trump’s harder line against Beijing compared to other nations.
The reaction to Trump’s announcement has been swift and varied. Posts on X captured a mix of confusion and speculation, with some users questioning whether the tariff hikes could be seen as market manipulation.
Others pointed out the selective targeting of China, with one user noting in Chinese, “当然川普只针是对中国了” (“Of course Trump is only targeting China”). These sentiments reflect broader public uncertainty about the economic fallout of such aggressive trade measures.
Analysts suggest this dual approach—punishing China while easing pressure on others—could reshape global trade dynamics.
The increased tariffs on Chinese imports, now at 125%, are likely to raise costs for American consumers and businesses reliant on Chinese goods, a point Fox Business hinted at in its coverage.
Conversely, the pause on tariffs for other nations may strengthen U.S. ties with allies and trading partners willing to negotiate, potentially isolating China further on the world stage.
