‘Exposes US’ blackmailing nature’: China threatens countermeasures against Trump’s 50% additional tariff warning

President Trump threatened additional tariffs on China on Monday unless the latter withdraws what he described as a “retaliatory” 34 per cent tariff hike imposed on US goods.

China’s Commerce Ministry in a statement said that US‘ imposition of “so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ on China is completely groundless. (File Photo)

In response to Trump’s stark ultimatum, Beijing Tuesday threatened to carry out “resolute countermeasures” against the threat of further 50 per cent tariff on Chinese goods as it is looking “to safeguard its own rights and interests”.

China’s Commerce Ministry in a statement said that imposition of “so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ by the US is “completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice,” news agency Associated Press reported.

Calling the countermeasures “completely legitimate”, Beijing 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”.

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It added that the countermeasures are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the equilibrium of the international trade order.

President Trump threatened additional tariffs on China on Monday unless the latter withdraws what he described as a “retaliatory” 34 per cent tariff hike imposed on US goods, to be implemented from April 10.

Threatening to impose additional tariffs on Beijing, Trump posted on Truth Social saying “If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th.”

Trump’s stance on China seems to contrast with his attempt to leverage China’s influence over Russia to end the Ukraine war, where he acknowledged China’s significant diplomatic clout with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Also Read | Black Monday bloodbath: As markets crash, what could be the endgame for Trump’s reciprocal tariffs

Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy has sent shockwaves through global markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting over 1,300 points in a single session.

However, the Asian markets bounced back on Tuesday, opening higher with Japan’s Nikkei 225 share benchmark up 5.5% after it fell nearly 8% a day earlier.

This rebound followed a wild day on Wall Street after Trump threatened to crank his double-digit tariffs higher.

— With AP, Reuters inputs

Use less salt, sugar, oil in food: Uttarakhand govt sensitizes eateries on Char Dham yatra

India17 min ago

In view of the growing number of people with hypertension, diabetes and heart ailments, who are vulnerable to develop complications at higher altitudes, the Uttarakhand government has started an exercise to sensitize food vendors, restaurants and dhabas asking them to serve food with low quantity of salt, sugar and oil during the Char Dham yatra this year.

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