WASHINGTON: The United States has imposed sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports, raising the total levy to 104 per cent, the White House confirmed on Tuesday after Beijing vowed a “fight to the end” on levies.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the additional 104 per cent tariffs “went into effect at noon Eastern Time” on Tuesday because “China has not removed its retaliation”, Fox Business reported. The new tariffs will be formally collected starting Wednesday, 9 April.
A White House official separately confirmed to Reuters that the full measure would be enforced from 12:01 AM ET (0401 GMT) on Wednesday, combining earlier and new tariff hikes into a total increase of 104 per cent on certain Chinese goods.
US President Donald Trump had earlier threatened to double down with a further 50 per cent tariff if China proceeded with its own retaliatory duties.
Speaking on Monday, Trump warned that if Beijing did not withdraw its newly announced 34 per cent tariffs on US imports, Washington would act “immediately and significantly”.
He also suspended all trade negotiations with China, stating that the US would instead focus on reaching deals with other nations.
China responded with a strongly worded statement through its Ministry of Commerce, accusing the US of “blackmail” and making a “mistake upon a mistake”.
“If the US insists on going its own way, China will fight to the end,” the ministry said, describing its countermeasures as “entirely justified”.
The escalating tariff battle has alarmed global markets. Stock exchanges around the world endured a turbulent week, with US markets shedding trillions of dollars before rebounding modestly after the White House confirmed the tariff implementation.
Analysts have warned that a prolonged trade war could disrupt global supply chains, increase costs for consumers, and raise the risk of recession.
Despite the hardline rhetoric, President Trump appeared to leave the door open for a possible resolution.
“China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started. We are waiting for their call. It will happen!” Trump wrote on social media Tuesday morning.
The latest US tariffs will be added to the previously announced 34 per cent rate, raising total duties on affected Chinese products to 104 per cent this year.
The new levies are expected to hit a broad range of imports, from electronics to industrial components, further deepening the trade rift between Washington and Beijing.
China’s retaliatory 34 per cent tariffs are expected to take effect on Thursday, escalating the tit-for-tat measures between the two sides.
