Camilla Jessen
Starting April 9, Chinese goods entering the US will face more than double their value in import duties.
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The United States will impose a total tariff of 104% on certain imports from China beginning April 9.
The decision was confirmed by Fox News correspondent Edward Lawrence, who cited a statement from the White House press secretary via the social platform X.
According to Lawrence, the dramatic hike was triggered by China’s refusal to lift its retaliatory trade measures, which were introduced in response to earlier US tariff increases.
This was reported by The Moscow Times.
From 10% to 104%
The latest move follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on April 2 of new tariffs targeting imports from over 180 countries, with a base rate of 10%.
China was hit harder, facing a 34% tariff, on top of earlier increases—20% introduced in March, and now an additional 50% as retaliation for Beijing’s countermeasures.
That brings the effective total tariff rate on some Chinese goods to 104%, marking one of the most severe US trade actions against China to date.
“China Will Fight to the End”
China responded swiftly and firmly.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced it would implement its own retaliatory tariffs starting April 10, matching the US’s latest 34% hike. In a strongly worded statement, the ministry condemned the US move, saying:
“If the US continues to insist on introducing new tariffs, China will fight to the end.”
The ministry also accused the US of pursuing a “blackmailing” foreign economic policy, describing the tariffs as “one mistake piled on top of another.”
The escalation could have widespread consequences for global trade, supply chains, and inflation.