Trump Escalates Trade War with China, Imposes 104% Tariffs Effective Midnight

Washington, D.C. – April 8, 2025 – President Donald Trump has announced a staggering 104% tariff on Chinese imports, set to take effect immediately at midnight tonight. White House officials confirmed the move Tuesday morning, signaling a bold new phase in Trump’s aggressive trade policy aimed at pressuring Beijing into concessions on trade practices and retaliatory measures.

The announcement follows Trump’s earlier threats to impose an additional 50% tariff on Chinese goods unless China rescinded its own 34% retaliatory tariff on U.S. exports, a deadline that expired at noon today with no response from Beijing. According to a White House official cited by FOX Business, the new tariff rate—building on existing 20% duties and last week’s 34% hike—will push the total tariff burden on Chinese imports to an unprecedented 104%, effective as of 12:01 a.m. EDT on April 9, 2025 [Source: FOX Business via X post by @DeItaone, 09:36 PDT, April 8, 2025].

Speaking from the White House, Trump framed the tariffs as a necessary response to China’s refusal to negotiate. “China’s been ripping us off for years, and I warned them—no retaliation, or they’d pay big,” Trump said, referencing his earlier ultimatum posted on Truth Social. “They didn’t listen, so now they’ll face the consequences.” The President’s remarks align with his long-standing “America First” trade agenda, which he claims will protect U.S. workers and rebalance global trade inequities [Source: Reuters, "Trump awaits 'call' from China, but aides say deal not likely before 104% tariffs hit," April 8, 2025].

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre elaborated on the decision during a Tuesday briefing, stating, “The 104% additional tariffs went into effect at noon Eastern time because China has not removed its retaliation. Collections will begin tomorrow, April 9th” [Source: FOX Business via X post by @DeItaone]. The move has drawn sharp criticism from economic analysts, with some warning of severe disruptions to global supply chains and potential price hikes for American consumers. Billionaire Richard Branson, in a post on X, called the policy a “colossal mistake” that could lead to “ruin for years to come” unless reversed [Source: CNBC, "Trump tariffs live updates: Billionaire Ken Langone blasts White House formula," April 7, 2025].

China’s Ministry of Commerce swiftly condemned the tariffs as “unilateral bullying,” vowing to “fight to the end” and promising countermeasures to safeguard its interests. Experts suggest Beijing may opt for a prolonged economic standoff, banking on its resilience after years of reducing reliance on U.S. markets [Source: NPR, "China vows retaliation and a 'fight to the end' after Trump’s latest tariff threat," April 7, 2025].

The tariffs, which apply to an estimated $438.9 billion in annual Chinese imports, mark the largest tax hike on U.S. imports since 1982, according to the Tax Foundation. Economists project a potential 0.7% reduction in U.S. GDP once fully implemented, compounded by retaliatory actions from China and other trading partners like the European Union [Source: Tax Foundation, "Trump Tariffs: The Economic Impact of the Trump Trade War," April 7, 2025].

As global markets brace for turbulence, Trump remains defiant. “Tariffs are like medicine,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One on April 6. “They might taste bad going down, but they’ll make us stronger” [Source: Reuters, "Trump compares tariffs to 'medicine' as Asian markets convulse," April 6, 2025]. Whether this latest gamble will force China to the negotiating table or deepen an already bruising trade war remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes have never been higher. 17GEN4.com