Trump threatens 50% tariff on Chinese imports; China accuses US of ‘economic bullying’

Washington: Former US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 50 percent tariff on Chinese imports if Beijing does not withdraw its 34 percent retaliatory tariff against the United States.

Trump’s warning came in a social media post on Monday, just days after he announced a 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports as part of his “Liberation Day” policy.

He gave China until Tuesday to cancel its retaliatory measures, failing which a new 50 percent tariff would be imposed. If enacted, American companies could face a combined tariff rate of up to 104 percent on Chinese goods—far higher than the 20 percent tariff already enforced in March.

In response, the Chinese embassy in Washington strongly objected to Trump’s remarks and accused the US of “economic bullying.” It said China would “firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests.”

Experts have raised concerns that such escalations could further inflame the ongoing trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Financial analysts warn that the move could have wide-ranging global consequences, potentially worsening an already volatile trade environment.

Trump, speaking on his Truth Social platform, also said that “all talks with China regarding their requested meetings with us [on tariffs] will be terminated.”

He further clarified on Monday that he was not considering a freeze on global import tariffs to facilitate trade negotiations, saying, “There are a lot of countries that are coming to negotiate deals with us, and there are going to be fair deals.”