In a bold move, the U.S. has launched its third tariff bomb on China. The White House announced an imposing 104% tariff on China, effective from Wednesday, April 9th. This decisive action follows China's recent imposition of a 34% tariff on American imports.
During a press conference, White House Press Secretary, Carolina Levitt, described China's retaliation against the United States as a grave mistake. She asserted that when America is challenged, its response is robust and unwavering.
Levitt expounded, 'Retaliating against America was an error on China's part. When provoked, America retaliates with even greater force. Consequently, starting tonight (Wednesday), a 104% tariff will be in place against China... If China attempts to negotiate, they will find a very generous partner.'
'Era of Economic Surrender Is Over'
Levitt leveled fierce criticism at China's trade policies, accusing them of exacerbating economic hardships for American workers. The White House Press Secretary declared, 'President Trump has made it unequivocally clear that the era of American economic surrender is over. He will no longer allow American workers and businesses to be ruined by unfair trade practices that strip away high-paying jobs and hollow out communities across the country.'
'Trump Has a Robust Mechanism'
She went on, 'Countries like China, who have chosen to retaliate and double down on their mistreatment of American workers, are making a major miscalculation. President Trump possesses a robust mechanism and neither he nor America will falter under his leadership.'
70 Nations Already in Touch: Levitt
Levitt further revealed that while President Trump has not considered raising or halting tariffs, he is ready to engage in discussions. Since the announcement of Liberation Day, approximately 70 countries have reached out to initiate talks with the President.'
She also shared that Trump has instructed his trade team to pursue individually tailored trade agreements with each country.
Levitt discussed the broader strategy behind the tariffs, emphasizing that they were not only directed at monetary tariffs imposed on American goods by other countries but also on non-monetary barriers hindering American trade.
She stated, 'The reciprocal tariff rates implemented by the United States focus on monetary tariffs levied by other countries against us. These rates also address non-monetary tariff barriers.'
Earlier on Sunday, Trump threatened to increase tariffs on China by an additional 50% following China’s 34% retaliatory tariff declaration, which came in response to Trump's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on April 2 during Liberation Day. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce termed the U.S. tariffs as baseless and a one-sided step of intimidation.
