- Trump warned tariffs could return if no deals are reached during the 90-day pause.
- China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% and called the U.S. strategy “unilateral bullying.”
- Xi Jinping said tariffs will isolate the U.S. and pushed for stronger ties with the EU.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he’s prepared to bring back the full force of the tariffs he announced last week—if trade negotiations during the 90-day pause don’t pan out. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump defended the tariff rollout, acknowledging some bumps but insisting, “in the end it’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
As it stands, Chinese exports are now facing a 125% tariff—up from 84%—and that’s before factoring in the 20% fentanyl-related tariffs put in place back in February. Altogether, that brings the effective rate to a whopping 145%.
Tariff Tensions: U.S. Says Policy Working, China Hits Back Hard
In a Friday post, Trump said the U.S. is “doing really well” with its tariff policy, calling the whole thing “very exciting for America, and the World!!!” But while Trump insists negotiations are ongoing with other nations, China isn’t currently one of them. U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer confirmed to ABC that “not at this point” are talks with Beijing underway.
China’s Ministry of Finance didn’t waste time firing back. It announced Friday it would raise tariffs on all U.S. goods from 84% to 125%, calling Washington’s moves “abnormally high” and “unreasonable.”
China also reminded the world it won’t keep playing the tit-for-tat game forever, saying any further tariff increases from the U.S. would be economically meaningless.
Xi Jinping Slams U.S. Strategy, Strengthens EU Ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a meeting with Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez, blasted Trump’s tariff push. “There is no winner in a tariff war,” Xi warned, adding that it will only lead the U.S. to isolate itself from the rest of the world.
Xi used the moment to spotlight China’s long-standing resilience and its growing ties with the EU. He pitched the idea of building deeper partnerships with Europe in peace, reform, and open trade, noting that China has “never relied on anyone’s gifts, let alone been afraid of unreasonable suppression.”
The message? China’s digging in—and it’s not doing it alone.
