Beijing, April 9 — Beijing on Wednesday announced a sweeping 84% tariff on American goods, retaliating against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 104% levy on all Chinese imports. The Chinese finance ministry confirmed that the new tariffs would take effect from April 10.
The announcement comes just hours after Trump’s fresh round of tariffs, which White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described as part of a “reciprocal trade enforcement package.”
The Trump administration had already planned a 34% increase on Chinese goods by Wednesday, but following Beijing’s refusal to back down, the U.S. president raised duties by an additional 50%, bringing the total to 104%.
“China firmly opposes this move. This is a mistake upon a mistake,” China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement Tuesday, hours before the retaliatory decision. It added that the country will “take all necessary countermeasures” to protect its interests.
According to U.S. trade analysts, this latest standoff marks one of the sharpest escalations in the U.S.-China trade conflict since Trump returned to power.
Trump’s tariffs over the past few weeks have not been limited to China. His administration has introduced or increased trade duties on several countries:
Mexico: 25% tariffs on auto imports citing trade imbalance and immigration enforcement issues
Vietnam: 30% tariffs targeting steel and electronics to curb what the White House called "unfair transshipment practices"
India: 20% tariffs on pharmaceuticals and textiles over alleged market access restrictions
Germany: 18% on automobiles as part of a broader EU trade confrontation
Trump, in a campaign rally last week, defended the moves, saying, “We’re just leveling the playing field. For too long, other countries have taken advantage of American workers.”
The tit-for-tat measures between Washington and Beijing now risk deepening trade uncertainty globally, with analysts warning of market volatility and possible supply chain disruptions.