China announced Friday it will sharply increase tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125%, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies. The new, higher tariffs are scheduled to take effect on Saturday, April 12.
In a statement released by its Commerce Ministry, China condemned recent U.S. tariff actions. “The U.S.’ arbitrary imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, disregards the post-World War II global economic order built by the U.S. itself, and violates basic economic laws and common sense,” the ministry stated.
The statement went on to call further potential U.S. tariff increases “a joke,” asserting that China would not necessarily match future hikes.
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“If the U.S. continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of world economy,” the statement read. It added, “At the current tariff level, there is no market acceptance for U.S. goods exported to China. If the U.S. continues to play the tariff numbers game, China will ignore it.”
However, Beijing drew a line, warning of retaliation if its core interests are threatened. “However, if the U.S. insists on continuing to substantially infringe on China’s interests, China will resolutely counterattack and fight to the end.”
This retaliatory measure follows recent tariff increases by the Trump administration. According to the Associated Press, President Trump’s universal tariffs targeting Chinese goods currently total 145%.
The AP noted that a separate proposed 20% tariff, linked by the U.S. to China’s role in fentanyl production, was reportedly not included in the administration’s most recent tariff announcement earlier this week.
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The escalating tariff battle continues to raise concerns about global trade stability and the economic impact on both nations and international markets.
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