Starting April 10, China Imposes 84% Tariff on US Goods.
China Hits Back with Major Tariff Surge as US Trade Tensions Mount
China has announced a dramatic increase in tariffs on a wide range of U.S. products, raising the rate to 84% starting Thursday — a steep climb from the previously declared 34%. This decision follows the U.S. government’s move to impose a hefty 104% tariff on Chinese goods, as confirmed by China’s Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.
This latest tariff hike is seen as a direct countermeasure to President Donald Trump’s sweeping trade sanctions, which are part of a broader strategy targeting 60 countries. In response, Chinese officials have vowed to protect their national interests with “strong and decisive” actions. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, during a routine press briefing, condemned the U.S. approach, accusing Washington of leveraging tariffs as a form of pressure and referring to it as “hegemonic behavior.” He emphasized that China would not allow its sovereignty or development to be undermined.
The exchange of sharp words and retaliatory actions reflects the growing friction between the world’s two largest economies. Earlier in the day, China formally addressed the World Trade Organization (WTO), criticizing the U.S. tariffs as destabilizing and contrary to global trade rules. In its statement to the WTO, later shared by its mission in Geneva, Beijing expressed deep concern, calling the U.S. move reckless and harmful. China argued that such retaliatory policies won’t resolve trade disparities and are likely to backfire economically on the U.S.
The rising tensions have sparked concerns globally, with experts cautioning that the situation could trigger a new recession in the U.S. The trade clash has rapidly escalated, especially after President Trump announced the 104% tariff — which followed prior increases of 34% and another 50%, each in response to China’s retaliatory steps.
Trump initially imposed a 10% blanket tariff on Chinese imports earlier this year, citing Beijing’s alleged role in fueling illegal immigration and enabling the fentanyl crisis in the U.S. The administration later doubled those rates, further shaking financial markets and worsening bilateral ties.
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China, which was the second-largest exporter to the U.S. last year, shipped goods worth $439 billion, compared to $144 billion in American exports to China. As the tariff war deepens, industries on both sides are bracing for supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and potential layoffs.
By the end of Trump’s first term, the average U.S. tariff on Chinese goods had risen to 19.3%, as reported by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. The Biden administration largely upheld these measures and even increased them, lifting the average rate to 20.8%. Economists now warn that such extreme protectionist strategies could result in a disorderly decoupling of U.S.-China trade, undermining the fragile recovery of global markets.
