Trump Threatens Further Tariffs on China Amid Global Economic Uncertainty
President Trump warned on April 7, 2025, that if China did not repeal its 34% tariffs, an extra 50% tariff would be imposed, risking further global economic instability and higher costs for American consumers.
Published on April 9, 2025
On April 7, 2025, President Donald Trump warned that unless China rolled back its current 34% tariffs, the U.S. would impose an additional 50% tariff starting April 9. This move would push total tariffs on Chinese goods to 104%, a measure intended to spur long-term manufacturing gains despite short-term market pain. As these developments unfolded, global markets reacted with significant volatility, and concerns quickly escalated over potential price hikes for American consumers and broader economic distortions.
Supplemental reports indicate that the tariff escalation has already impacted international stock markets—with notable declines in Asian indices like Japan’s Nikkei—as well as triggering measures by Chinese authorities to stabilize investor confidence through share buybacks. Critics including key economic figures and international markets have voiced apprehension over a possible deepening trade war, while agencies like the White House and the Federal Reserve maintained that the short-term fluctuations were a necessary risk for future economic benefits.