Washington, (EFE).- The White House confirmed Tuesday that starting at 12:01 am local time on Wednesday, the United States tariffs on Chinese imports will spike to 104%, making a significant escalation in the trade standoff between the world’s two largest economies.
The increase comes as United States President Donald Trump enacts an additional 50% duty on Chinese goods, on top of tariffs already in place.
Last week, the istration announced a 24% increase, which builds on an earlier 20% duty and a 10% general tariff introduced on Saturday that applies to all US trading partners.
The cumulative effect of these measures of import taxes on Chinese products, a move the Trump istration says is aimed at pressuring Beijing over what it describes as insufficient efforts to curb the flow of fentanyl into the US, as well as longstanding trade imbalances.
“These tariffs will go into effect at 12:01 am Washington time,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt during a brief statement to reporters.”
“It was a mistake for China to retaliate against the President. When the United States is hit, he hits back harder,” she added.
Tensions have mounted since Apr. 2 when China vowed to impose a 34% retaliatory tariff in response to Washington’s previous actions.
Trump quickly threatened the additional 50% hike now coming into force.
Earlier in the day, the president told reporters that Beijing was “desperate” for a trade deal but claimed Chinese officials “don’t know how to start” the negotiation process.
“The President believes Xi Jinping and China want to make a deal,” Leavitt reiterated.
“They just don’t know how to approach it. And if they do, the President will be incredibly generous, but he will always put the American people first.”
The announcement signals a renewed phase in the US-China trade conflict, which first erupted during Trump’s first term.
Analysts say the latest measures could ripple through global markets and further strain diplomatic ties, especially as both countries gear up for possible talks.
The future of TikTok, the popular video-sharing app owned by China-based ByteDance, is also a key issue in the standoff.
The Trump istration has reiterated that the app must sever ties with its parent company to continue operating in the US.
The demand is part of a broader push to limit Chinese tech influence on US soil, citing nationality security concerns.
Beijing has said it will not yield to pressure and condemned Washington’s approach as coercive.
The Chinese government has not yet indicated whether it will respond with further retaliatory measures beyond those already announced.
The new tariffs are expected to affect a wide range of consumer and industrial goods, potentially raising prices for American businesses and shoppers.
However, istration officials argue that the long-term benefits of rebalancing trade with China outweigh the short-term economic costs.
With the 2024 election cycle underway, trade remains one of Trump’s cornerstone issues.
Tuesday’s announcement underscores his continued willingness to wield tariffs as a tool of economic policy and foreign relations. EFE
asb/seo
