By Abiola Olawale
The global trade war has continued to escalate as United States President Donald Trump imposed a staggering 104% tariff on Chinese imports effective immediately.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who confirmed the new tariffs, said the announcement came following China’s refusal to retract its retaliatory measures after a Tuesday deadline.
This move marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing tariff war between the world’s two largest economies.
The decision came after Trump warned China earlier last week that failure to lift its 34% counter-tariff on U.S. goods would trigger an additional 50% duty, piling onto existing levies.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Leavitt reiterated Trump’s belief that China made a strategic error by retaliating against earlier U.S. tariffs.
She remarked: “The president, when America is punched, he punches back harder, that’s why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight.”
Leavitt also noted that Trump would be “gracious” if Chinese President Xi Jinping sought to negotiate a deal, signalling a potential opening for dialogue despite the escalating tensions.
The additional 104% tariff builds on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs plan, which already included significant levies on Chinese goods.
In response, the Chinese Commerce Ministry, through state news agency Xinhua, criticized the U.S. for what it described as “unilateral bullying” and “blackmail.”
The Ministry asserted that the proposed tariff escalation is both groundless and a violation of international trade norms.
It emphasized that China’s countermeasures are legitimate actions aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security, and developmental interests while maintaining a stable international trade order.
