Latest China–US tariffs news (as of April 9, 2025)

📈 Latest Developments

Trade tensions between China and the United States have sharply escalated, with both sides announcing significant tariff hikes, rattling global markets.

🇺🇸 U.S. Tariff Actions:

April 8, 2025:
The Trump administration announced a 104% tariff on Chinese exports to the U.S., effective at midnight. This move was in response to China’s earlier imposition of a 34% tariff on U.S. goods. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized China’s move as a “strategic mistake,” pointing out the trade imbalance: the U.S. imported $438.9 billion worth of goods from China last year while exporting only $143.5 billion to China.
April 9, 2025:
The U.S. enacted a sweeping tariff policy affecting 185 countries, starting with a base tariff of 10%, with some countries facing significantly higher rates. Chinese imports were hit the hardest, with a total 104% tariff following a 50% hike.

🇨🇳 China’s Retaliatory Measures:

April 4, 2025:
China announced a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports, effective April 10, in direct response to U.S. tariff actions.
April 8, 2025:
After the U.S. announcement of further increases, China vowed to “fight till the end,” calling the American move “blackmail” and vowing not to back down.

🌍 Economic and Political Impact:

Market Shock: U.S. financial markets have seen a significant decline. The S&P 500 is down over 15%, and the Nasdaq is down nearly 21% year-to-date. Economists warn that the new tariffs may drive inflation higher and raise the risk of recession.
Diplomatic Fallout: China harshly condemned U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance for his controversial remarks about Chinese labor, calling them “ignorant and disrespectful.”