China Imposes 84% Tariffs on U.S. Goods in Retaliation against Trump

By Evans Momodu
Published 13:52



China announces steep retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports, escalating its trade war with President Donald Trump. The 84% levy matches new U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods.


China has announced retaliatory tariffs of 84% on U.S. imports, escalating the ongoing trade standoff with President Donald Trump. The steep increase raises China’s tariff level by 50 percentage points from the previous rate set to take effect this week, mirroring the harsh penalties imposed by the U.S. earlier in the day.

Trump’s aggressive new tariffs — described by his administration as "reciprocal" — now place a levy of at least 104% on all Chinese imports.
In response, China’s State Council Tariff Commission denounced the U.S. move as a “mistake upon mistake” and a violation of international trade rules, vowing to fight back.

This latest exchange of tariffs follows a pattern of tit-for-tat measures that has dominated U.S.-China relations in recent months.
China had repeatedly warned it would respond if further duties were imposed. Trump’s original plan was to raise tariffs by 34 percentage points, but added an extra 50% after China declined to concede, intensifying the confrontation.

Since returning to office, Trump has already imposed 20% tariffs on Chinese goods. The new wave of penalties significantly heightens economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

In addition to the tariff hike, China’s Commerce Ministry announced export restrictions on 12 U.S. companies, prohibiting Chinese businesses from selling dual-use technologies — those with military and civilian applications — to them. It added six more American firms to its "unreliable entity list," barring them from new investments or trade operations within China.

China has also filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), challenging the legality of the U.S. tariffs under international law.

The escalating dispute marks a new chapter in global trade tensions, with ripple effects expected across international markets.
Source: CNN
Image: LW