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'Mistake on top of a mistake': China hits back at Trump's additional 50% tariff threat

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China on Tuesday vowed to retaliate against the United States if President Donald Trump goes ahead with his threat to impose fresh 50 per cent tariffs on Chinese imports.

Reacting to Trump's new threat, China hinted of imposing more retaliatory tariffs on American products. Beijing said that it will take countermeasures against US "to safeguard its own rights and interests."



The commerce ministry said that the US's "so-called 'reciprocal tariffs'" on China are "completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice."

"The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order. They are completely legitimate," the ministry said.

"The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US. China will never accept this. If the US insists on its own way, China will fight to the end," the ministry added.


Last week, the US president announced sweeping tariffs on different nations that have sparked a trade war and raised fears of an international recession . Along with countries like China, Trump faced criticism from within his own Republican part after his announcement.

In a tit-for-tat move, China has announced its own 34 per cent duties on American goods, which will come into effect on Thursday.

Despite the tough rhetoric, Beijing reiterated that it remains open to dialogue, saying, "There are no winners in a trade war."

US-China trade war escalates

The fresh threat from Trump, issued via a post on Truth Social, warned that unless China rolls back its recently announced 34 per cent tariff hike by April 8, Washington will respond with additional duties, raising the cumulative tariff rate on Chinese goods to a staggering 104 per cent.

Analysts warn the escalation could push up prices for American consumers and destabilise global supply chains, especially if Beijing redirects its exports to other markets or strengthens trade ties with partners like the European Union.

'I don't mind': Trump

Trump, who has historically touted stock market gains as a barometer of economic success, brushed aside the recent market turbulence as a necessary price for long-term gains. "I don't mind going through it because I see a beautiful picture at the end," he said.

However, market volatility has surged in recent days, with both Wall Street and global exchanges reacting nervously to the intensifying trade rhetoric. False reports suggesting a possible pause in tariff plans momentarily lifted US stocks, only for the White House to dismiss the claims as "fake news."

Key point of contention

The tensions come at a time when China remains one of the US's top trading partners, with bilateral goods trade reaching $582 billion in 2024. The US trade deficit with China — ranging between $263 billion and $295 billion last year — remains a key point of contention.

Global leaders have expressed concern over the widening rift. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would now explore greater trade opportunities beyond the United States, emphasising "vast potential elsewhere."

In Hong Kong, where stocks opened slightly higher on Tuesday, chief executive John Lee criticised the US tariffs as "ruthless" and damaging to the global economic order. He pledged deeper integration with mainland China's economy, expanded free trade agreements, and more support for local businesses navigating the fallout.


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